GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Oct. As counting continues for the assembly elections held last month, early trends from the Election Commission indicate a mixed outcome for major political parties in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has edged ahead of the Congress in Haryana, while the National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance appears set to secure a majority in Jammu and Kashmir.
In Haryana, the BJP is leading in 47 of the 90 seats, surpassing the crucial halfway mark, while the Congress is currently ahead in 36 seats. This tight contest reflects a nail-biting scenario as the BJP seeks its third consecutive term in the state. Early vote shares were tantalizingly close, with the BJP holding 38.7% and Congress at 40.5% three hours after counting began.
Veteran Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed optimism, stating, “The Congress will get a majority. Congress will form government in Haryana.” He attributed potential success to the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, and the people of Haryana. Another Congress leader, Kumari Selja, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing, “Hold your horses. Congress will form a government with overwhelming majority.”
Conversely, BJP leaders expressed confidence in their prospects. Harish Khurana, a party spokesperson, told NDTV, “We are pretty confident we will win Haryana with a good margin and form government for a third time.”
In Jammu and Kashmir, the political landscape has shifted significantly since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The NC-Congress alliance is reportedly leading in 47 seats, with 39 for the NC and eight for the Congress. The BJP trails with leads in 28 seats, while Independents have captured eight seats and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) holds four.
NC leader Omar Abdullah remarked on the situation, stating, “If the mandate of the people is against the BJP, then the BJP should not indulge in any ‘jugaad’ (manipulations).” He further urged acceptance of the public’s decision, akin to the response to the recent Parliamentary elections.
Congress leader Suhail Bukhari expressed optimism, saying, “Early trends are positive; it will improve…voters wanted to send a message to BJP.” Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina found himself trailing in the Nowshera assembly constituency.
Given the sensitive nature of the region, authorities have implemented a three-tier security setup at all counting centers to ensure a smooth process amidst ongoing security concerns.
As the results continue to unfold, both parties remain vigilant, with their futures hanging in the balance as voters’ choices take center stage.
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