As the vote counting for the Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) assembly elections begins, early trends suggest a neck-and-neck battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. Haryana, in particular, has shown Congress leading by a significant margin in exit polls, raising the prospect of a return to power after nearly a decade of BJP rule. Meanwhile, in J&K, the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance seems to have an edge, but the BJP remains optimistic about emerging as the single-largest party.
Haryana: Congress Surges Ahead
The exit polls for Haryana indicate a strong performance by Congress, led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Several projections have shown Congress winning between 50 to 62 seats in the 90-member Assembly. In contrast, the BJP may secure only 20-28 seats, a stark drop from its previous dominance in the state.
This shift can be attributed to the growing dissatisfaction with the BJP’s performance, especially in rural areas where issues like unemployment, farmer concerns, and inflation have taken center stage. Hooda’s focus on these issues, along with Congress’ promise of better governance, seems to have resonated with the electorate.
BJP leader Anil Vij, however, remains confident that his party will form the government, but it will be an uphill battle for them given the current trends. The Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), a former ally of BJP, is also expected to fare poorly, possibly winning only 0-2 seats, further diminishing BJP’s chances of forming a coalition government in the state.
Jammu & Kashmir: A Close Fight
In Jammu & Kashmir, the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance is predicted to win between 40-48 seats, as per the India Today-CVoter exit poll. This could give them a clear majority in the 90-seat Assembly. However, the BJP, which has a strong base in the Jammu region, could still secure between 27-32 seats, keeping the contest relatively close.
The delimitation process has created a more complex electoral landscape in J&K, making it difficult to predict the exact outcome. While the Congress-NC alliance holds an edge, especially in the Kashmir Valley, the BJP is counting on its support in the Jammu region to swing the results in its favor.
J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina has expressed confidence that the party will emerge as the single largest and form the government. The BJP’s focus has been on issues of national security, development, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, particularly following the abrogation of Article 370. However, the Congress-NC alliance has capitalized on anti-BJP sentiments, particularly in the valley, focusing on restoring local governance and addressing unemployment.
A Day of Surprises
With counting underway, both states are bracing for a day filled with suspense and surprises. In Haryana, if exit polls hold true, Congress could emerge as a dominant force once again, potentially securing Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s return as Chief Minister. In J&K, while the Congress-NC alliance appears to be in the lead, the BJP’s strong presence in Jammu could still play a decisive role in the final outcome.
Ultimately, the final results, which will be declared by the end of the day, will determine whether Congress can solidify its lead in both states or if BJP’s optimism pays off in a last-minute turnaround.
