CEC position to mollify Bhupinder Singh Hooda?

New Delhi: Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who has been on the warpath with the Congress over having his way in the state-unit of the party, might be accomodated in the Party’s Central Election Committee to give him a say in ticket distribution in the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.

The CEC is the apex body of the Congress which finalises the distribution of tickets and has 12 members as of now, which includes the seniormost leadership of the party, including president Sonia Gandhi, treasurer Ahmed Patel and leaders like A.K. Antony, Veerap-pa Moily and Rahul Gandhi. “This would give Mr Hooda a direct say in the ticket distribution of upcoming Haryana elections as well as all other elections,” a senior leader told this newspaper.

Sources said the offer was discussed at a meeting between Mr Hooda and Mrs Gandhi on Thursday.

Mrs Gandhi was, however, not in mood to give in to all the demands made by the former chief minister.

Hence the other demand of the Hoodas that Deepinder Hooda be made the only working president under the new PCC chief might not be accepted and he can be made one among three or four working presidents.

Many leaders this newspaper spoke with indicated former Union minister Kumari Selja might be the next Haryana PCC chief, replacing Ashok Tanwar, who is seen to be a Rahul Gandhi appointee. One of the chief demands of Mr Hooda had been the removal of Mr Tanwar.

Mr Hooda had stopped short of announcing the formation a new party at his massive show of strength rally at Rohtak two weeks back after missives were sent to him that his demands would be accommodated by the Congress high-command while re-organising the Haryana unit.

The Jat leader has been demanding removal of Mr Tanwar and had also indicated that he be declared the CM candidate for the Assembly polls.