In the lead-up to the October 5 assembly elections in Haryana, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has successfully secured 72 candidacies for his loyalists within the Congress party, significantly outpacing rival Kumari Selja, who could only secure nine. Hooda is positioning himself as the face of Congress in a contest he believes will be a direct rivalry against the BJP, emphasizing the need for voters to be wary of 'vote-katu' candidates. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders are actively campaigning, asserting their critical role in shaping the next government, with MP Raghav Chadha claiming AAP will be pivotal in Haryana's political landscape. The Congress has nominated candidates across all constituencies it contests, while the BJP has introduced new faces in several districts. Hooda remains optimistic about his party's prospects, despite the complexities of leadership dynamics within Congress. The political atmosphere is charged as both major parties prepare for a fierce electoral battle, with family connections prominently featuring among candidates from both sides.