Friday, March 4 2005 15:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As Haryana Congress MLAs meet In New Delhi to elect the new Chief Minister, indications were available that it could be from the Jat community, quashing hopes of veteran leader Bhajan Lal.

Lal, who is attempting to become the Chief Minister for the fourth time, belongs to the Bishnoi community.

There are several contenders from the Jat community for the top post. They include senior leaders Birender Singh, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Randip Singh Surjewala, who is also the State Congress Working President and a former Indian Youth Congress Chief.

Detractors of Lal had launched an intensive campaign against him since the outcome of the polls to deny him the top post.

Other prominent contenders include Union Minister Kumari Selja, who is a dalit.

Ahead of the Congress Legislature Party meeting in Delhi where the formal election of the new Chief Minister would take place, Birender Singh had a meeting with party chief Sonia Gandhi.

Party General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi also had a meeting with Sonia.

The Congress president was authorised at the earlier meeting of the Legislature party to choose the leader.