In a nail-biting contest, the BJP and Congress were locked in a see-saw battle throughout the morning. By 10 am on Tuesday, trends from the Election Commission website showed the BJP leading in 43 seats while the Congress held 34. This marked a shift, as Congress had initially surged ahead when vote counting began at 8 am. The tight race has captivated political observers, as both parties vie for dominance in one of India’s key states.
Vote counting commenced at 93 centres across 22 districts in Haryana, with security tightened to ensure a smooth process. While the BJP is striving for a third consecutive term, banking on its ‘double-engine’ government, Congress, led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Rahul Gandhi, is hoping to return to power after a decade-long absence.
Race to victory heats up
As trends continued to emerge, the BJP made quick comeback, taking the lead in 31 seats, while the Congress maintained an in 38 constituencies. However, these early trends are not conclusive, and the final outcome will only be clear as counting progresses.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the BJP’s development agenda have been at the forefront of the ruling party’s campaign. On the other hand, Congress has focused on addressing unemployment, agrarian distress, and law and order concerns, attempting to connect with voters frustrated by the current government’s performance.
Regional parties join the contest
Meanwhile, regional parties such as the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) are also in the fray. INLD, in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and JJP, in coalition with the Azad Samaj Party, are working to attract rural voters and sway the post-poll dynamics. Leaders like Abhay Singh Chautala of INLD and Dushyant Chautala of JJP are expected to play significant roles in the eventual outcome, potentially holding the balance of power in the state.
Stay tuned for the full list of winners from this closely-watched battleground.
First Published: Oct 08 2024 | 12:52 PM IST
