Tanwar, Chaudhary skipping key party function suggests infighting far from over in Haryana Cong

The infighting within the Haryana unit of the Congress appeared to be far from over with two prominent state leaders skipping here on Saturday a key party function chaired by senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar and its former legislature party leader Kiran Chaudhary skipped a function held for former Union minister Kumari Selja and former state Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to take over as the party's state president and the chairman of its state election management committee respectively.

The absence of the two key party leaders left Azad explaining and lamenting their absence in the same breath.

There is no question of groupism (within state unit)," asserted Azad.

"They could not have come because of some some reason," hazarded Azad, when asked about the absence of Tanwar and Chaudhary.

But the two should have attended the function, he added hastily.

It (change in organisation) is a continuous process. Change is there always in organisation. Nobody continues to occupy one post for his whole life, Azad told reporters.

After Congress high command replaced Tanwar and Chaudhary ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, their supporters and loyalists had expressed disappointment over the decision.

Azad, however, praised both Tanwar and Chaudhary for their contributions in strengthening the party.

The party felt the responsibility should be given to those who have long experience in administration and organisation. But it does not mean that the former CLP leader or the former state unit president were weak leaders," said Azad.

"Under their leadership, one or two elections had already been fought. The party felt there should be a new team for the third elections, said Azad, who is party affairs in-charge for Haryana.

While addressing the gathering earlier, Azad said, Whenever there is an organisational change in the party, it should be welcomed. One should not feel bad about it or feel disappointed.

He said he was of the opinion that there should be a change in office bearers every two-three years.

Addressing the media later, Azad said after the announcement of the names of new state unit president and the chairman of the Congress' state election management committee, a new hope has emerged among every section of society in Haryana.

Asked if he did not feel the party had delayed in announcing the change, he conceded, saying "Yes.

But he added, "It is past now."