Cong high command to decide next Haryana CM: Hooda

With his party set to return to power for the second consecutive term, creating a record of sorts in the state, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday said that the Congress high command will take a final decision on the final candidate for the coveted post.

"I am a disciplined soldier of the party. The high command will decide on the name of candidate for the chief minister's post," an elated Hooda said.

Hooda, who started his day on a normal note by playing badminton, said that there was a set procedure in the Congress that was followed during the nomination of the chief minister. "I am a candidate for the chief minister's post and not a claimant," he reiterated.

"All decisions of the Congress high command will be binding upon m. I will serve the people of the state," he said, claiming that his agenda would be to further accelerate the pace of development initiated during his previous regime.

On critics within his party, including ministers Birender Singh and Kiran Chowdhary, vying for the CM's post, Hooda said, "There is internal democracy in the Congress ".

However, the Congress has failed to secure the magical figure of 67 seats, which it managed in the 2005 assembly elections, drubbing Om Parkash Chautala-led Indian National Lok Dal.

Since the creation of Haryana in 1966, the Congress will be the first party in the state to take command of the state in two successive terms.