Chandigarh: Union minister and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday invited senior Congress leader Kumari Selja to join BJP, saying Congress had been insulting Dalit leaders.

BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar hopes Kumari Selja will join the saffron party as many are 'upset' with Congress

BJP leader Babita Phogat has responded to her cousin Vinesh Phogat's criticism of the BJP during her campaign for the Haryana elections. Babita called Vinesh's comments narrow-minded and urged reflection on words used.

Vinesh Phogat, who is contesting the Haryana assembly elections from the Julana constituency, has criticised the BJP during the election campaign. In one such speech, she said that the Congress symbol hand would slap the BJP on polling day.

Rumours are rife about a rift in the Congress party, with the absence of Selja from Congress' campaigns for the Assembly polls. Selja was also missing during the event to launch the Congress manifesto by Mallikarjun Kharge.

Former Indian kabaddi captain Deepak Hooda is contesting the Haryana Assembly polls from the Meham constituency as a BJP candidate. Hooda, who joined the BJP six months ago, is confident of winning against Congress' Balram Dangi and independent MLA Balraj Kundu.