In a dramatic turnaround, the BJP is poised to form a government in Haryana for a third time, now leading in 50 seats, as compared to the Congress’s 34.The BJP defied exit poll predictions. Despite forecasts of a sweeping victory for the Indian National Congress, the BJP seems on the way to improving its 2019 performance, when it secured 40 seats and had to ally with the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the BJP Headquarters in the national capital on Tuesday evening (October 8), and address the party leaders and workers, after the saffron party is projected to register a massive victory in the Haryana Assembly Elections. According to sources, preparations are underway to welcome him after the victory.
Meanwhile, the BJP has initiated efforts to form the government. Haryana in-charge and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday arrived at the residence of former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar.
After fluctuations in early trends, the trend has stabilised for some time. If the trends convert into results, BJP’s results would be better than what it performed in 2019 when the party got only 40 seats.
The BJP’s strategy for Haryana has been clear since 2014, when it jumped from four to 47 seats. Contrary to conventional expectations, it appointed Manohar Lal Khattar, a Punjabi Khatri, as Chief Minister. The party focused on securing the OBC vote, which makes up about 40 per cent of the population, by elevating Nayab Singh Saini, an OBC, as state party chief and later as Khattar’s replacement in March this year.
Among prominent candidates, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Udai Bhan, Independent candidate Savitri Jindal, were ahead on their respective seats. Three independent candidates have so far registered victory, while four others are leading in various constituencies.
The counting on Julana constituency concluded with wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat clinching the seat with a margin of over 6,000 votes. Congress’ Vinesh Phogat is contesting against AAP’s Kavita Dalal, JJP’s Amarjeet Dhanda, INLD’s Surender lather and BJP Yogesh Bairagi.
Addressing her supporters after the results were announced, Phogat stated, “This is the fight of every girl, every woman who chooses the path to fight. This is the victory of every struggle, of truth. I will maintain the love and trust that this country has given me.”