Haryana Assembly Election Results: Multiple exit polls had predicted a strong performance for Congress, estimating 55 out of 90 seats, while forecasting 26 seats for the BJP.
New Delhi:Despite earlier indications of a comfortable win for Congress, live leads now suggest the BJP is poised for a third consecutive term in Haryana. As of 10:39 am, the BJP is leading in 48 out of the 90 constituencies, while Congress is ahead in 35.
The seven exit polls had collectively predicted Congress would secure 55 seats, surpassing the halfway mark of 45, and BJP would win 26 seats.
Congress supporters had begun celebrating at the party headquarters in New Delhi even before counting commenced, dancing to the beats of dhols. Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed confidence in the BJP’s return to power for a third term.
“We have undertaken significant development in the past 10 years. The system established by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will continue to benefit Haryana for a long time. It is our responsibility to carry forward this work,” Mr. Saini said, addressing reporters this morning. Saini succeeded Khattar as chief minister in March.
As the BJP appeared on course to form the government, Congress supporters toned down their celebrations but maintained optimism about the party’s chances.
In the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, the BJP won 40 seats, Congress secured 31, and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) claimed 10. The BJP formed a government with JJP’s support, making Dushyant Chautala the deputy chief minister. However, the alliance ended when Mr. Saini took over as chief minister.
The BJP’s performance in Haryana had dipped in the 2024 general elections, winning just five of the state’s 10 Lok Sabha seats, a sharp decline from its clean sweep in 2019. The Assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir are seen as key opportunities for the BJP to reaffirm its popularity after failing to secure an outright majority in the general elections for the first time in 10 years.
For Congress, the stakes are high. After being nearly written off following crushing defeats in the 2014 and 2019 general elections, party leaders have been touting their resurgence, citing their 99 seats in the 2024 general elections and the performance of the INDIA alliance. The results in both Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir will be critical tests of this narrative.