Haryana Assembly Election Results 2024: BJP has made significant strides in the Haryana Assembly elections, challenging earlier predictions of a comfortable Congress victory. As of 9:46 AM, the BJP is leading in 44 of Haryanas 90 Assembly constituencies, while the Congress is ahead in 41, suggesting a much closer contest than initially expected.Shift in early leadsAn aggregate of seven exit polls had predicted a strong win for the Congress, with projections suggesting the party would secure 55 seats—well above the halfway mark of 45—while the BJP was expected to win just 26 seats. However, early trends now show the BJP closing in on a majority, indicating a tougher race than forecasted.BJPs confidence growsDespite the initial exit poll predictions favoring Congress, the BJPs Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, expressed confidence in his partys ability to secure a third consecutive term in Haryana. Speaking to reporters this morning, Mr. Saini highlighted the development work done under the leadership of his predecessor, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and emphasized the continuity of policies that have benefited the state over the past decade.“We have done a lot of development work in the past 10 years. The system set up by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will continue to bring benefits for Haryana for a long time. It is our responsibility to take this good work forward,” Mr. Saini remarked.Celebrations begin for CongressMeanwhile, outside the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, celebrations had already begun even before the counting was in full swing. Party supporters gathered, dancing to the beats of dhols, anticipating a clear win based on exit polls. However, the latest trends showing the BJPs resurgence may dampen those early celebrations as the contest appears far from decided.What happened in 2019 Haryana ElectionsIn the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, the BJP won 40 seats, while the Congress secured 31, and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) garnered 10. The BJP managed to form a coalition government with the JJP, with Dushyant Chautala becoming the deputy chief minister. However, the post-poll alliance dissolved when Nayab Singh Saini replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as Chief Minister earlier this year.In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJPs performance in Haryana had already taken a hit, winning just five of the states 10 seats—compared to its clean sweep in 2019. The current Assembly elections in both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir are seen as a litmus test for the BJPs standing among voters after the setback in the general elections.High stakes for congressFor the Congress, the stakes in Haryana could not be higher. After facing crushing defeats in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party has been working to stage a comeback. Congress leaders have pointed to their improved showing in this years general elections—securing 99 seats across the country—and the performance of the INDIA alliance to underscore a narrative of resurgence.The results of the Haryana elections, along with those in Jammu and Kashmir, are being viewed as a critical test of the Congresss claim to be on the rebound, with potential implications for the partys future trajectory at the national level.
