Chandigarh, September 4: Senior Congress leader Kumari Selja was on Wednesday appointed as the president of party's Haryana unit, whereas, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will take over as Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader. The key appointment comes days ahead of the legislative assembly elections in the state. Hooda Hints at Quitting Politics After Supporting Modi Govt on Article 370 Abrogation.

Selja, the party's lawmaker in Rajya Sabha, will take over the reigns of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) from Ashok Tanwar. Hooda, the new CLP leader, would also head the party's election campaign committee, announced Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad in a press conference.

The appointments are being seen as an apparent bid to pacify rebels, who had threatened to quit if Hooda is not elevated. His appointment at the helm of Congress' election committee unofficially projects him as the chief ministerial candidate ahead of the upcoming polls.

Update by ANI:

The assembly polls in Haryana are expected to be held in November this year. The dates are yet to be officially announced by the Election Commission.

The Congress' state unit was plagued with in-fighting, with Hooda threatening to walk out of the party if he is not projected as the chief ministerial face. The BJP, meanwhile, will enter the polling fray under the leadership of incumbent CM Manohar Lal Khattar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2019 04:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).