On Saturday, as polling commenced for all 90 assembly seats in Haryana, Rahul Gandhi underscored the significance of the elections, describing them as “very important” for the future of the state. He urged voters to choose Congress for the prosperity of farmers, job creation for youth, the safety and respect of women, and the overall well-being of families.
In a post shared on social media platform X, he stated, “Every vote you give to Congress will protect the Constitution and will become your weapon against the atrocities of the BJP.”
Gandhi continued to advocate for a government that represents all communities in Haryana, stating, “We have to form a government of all communities in Haryana, a government with everyone’s participation, a government of justice, a Congress government. Now #HaathBadlegaHalaat.”
Kharge’s Appeal for Change
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed Gandhi’s sentiments, urging voters to recognize the impact of their decision at the polls. In a message on X, he remarked, “Your one vote will take Haryana on the path of prosperity and social justice.” He highlighted the grievances faced by the people of Haryana over the past decade, stating, “In the last 10 years, Haryana got nothing except unemployment, inflation, corruption, paper leaks, poor condition of villages and cities, fraud in identity cards, women’s insecurity, social discrimination, and economic inequality.”
Kharge emphasized that today’s vote could mark the end of these issues, allowing Haryana to embark on a path of progress once more. He specifically urged the youth, particularly first-time voters, to engage in what he termed a “celebration of democracy.”
Rallying Support from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Adding to the chorus of voices urging change, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called on voters to defeat the “injustice” faced by farmers, youth, and wrestlers, attributing this injustice to what she described as the “ten years’ misrule” of the BJP in the state.
Security and Participation in the Polls
Polling began on Saturday morning amid stringent security measures to ensure a smooth voting process. The stakes are high as the futures of key political figures, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Vinesh Phogat, hinge on the outcomes of the elections.
Over two crore eligible voters are participating in these elections, with a total of 1,031 candidates contesting, including 101 women and 464 independent nominees.
The Political Landscape
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims for a hat-trick in Haryana, while Congress seeks to reclaim power after a decade in opposition. The counting of votes will take place on October 8, and the outcome will be closely watched as the political landscape in Haryana could shift significantly.
In the previous assembly elections held in 2019, the BJP secured 40 seats, Congress obtained 31 seats, and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) won 10 seats.
