As voting for Haryana’s 90 assembly constituencies commenced today, Congress MP Kumari Selja expressed confidence that her party would secure a decisive victory. After casting her vote in Hisar, Ms. Selja addressed the media, stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was already in a vulnerable position.
“Today’s fight will change the fate of Haryana. Although this is a one-sided contest… BJP is ready to welcome me because they are already very weak. They will do anything to have strong leaders with them… We will win all 90 seats,” Ms. Selja said.
Speculations of Rift in Congress Denied
In response to questions about potential internal divisions within Congress in Haryana, Ms. Selja dismissed any concerns, pointing out that the final decisions rest with the party’s high command. “At the end of the day, our party high command makes decisions,” she asserted, signaling unity within the ranks of the state’s Congress leadership.
This statement came on the heels of an earlier interview Ms. Selja gave to ANI, where she addressed rumors of her candidacy for the top post should Congress emerge victorious in the elections. Highlighting her seniority and extensive political experience, she remarked, “See, that only high command will have to answer, they will only decide. There are a few people who would be in the consideration zone, and I think Selja would be there. Seniority mein, kaam mein, in sab cheezon mein nam aur politics aur ye political decisions ye toh high command dekhega (the high command would look at seniority, work done, and everything else. These political decisions would be taken by high command).”
She emphasized her position within the party, adding, “Toh aise mein Selja ko high command nazar andaz toh nahi karega (So the party high command can’t ignore Selja).”
Haryana Assembly Elections: BJP’s Bid for a Third Term
Today’s election is seen as a pivotal moment in Haryana politics. Over two crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in a closely-watched contest between the incumbent BJP and a resurgent Congress. This election could mark a turning point for the state, as the Congress party aims to return to power after a decade, while the BJP seeks a third consecutive term.
The BJP, under the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has faced multiple challenges during its tenure, including the widespread farmer protests and the more recent wrestler protests. Anti-incumbency sentiment is another hurdle for the ruling party, which is seeking to retain its stronghold in the state despite these pressures.
A Multi-Party Contest: BJP, Congress, AAP, and Others
The key political players in this election include the BJP, Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Additionally, pre-poll alliances such as the Indian National Lok Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party (INLD-BSP) and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP)-Azad Samaj Party (ASP) have thrown their hats into the ring, making this election a highly competitive affair.
Voting began at 7 AM and will continue until 6 PM across 20,632 polling booths that have been set up across the state. The election commission reported that the polling process is running smoothly, with voters turning out in significant numbers.
Over 1,000 Candidates in the Fray
A total of 1,031 candidates are contesting across the 90 constituencies. Each party is vying for a larger share of seats compared to the last election. In the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, the BJP won 40 seats and formed a coalition government with the JJP, which secured 10 seats. The Congress managed to win 31 seats, but now hopes to improve upon its performance and reclaim the state.
However, the political landscape has shifted since the last election. The JJP eventually parted ways with the BJP-led coalition, and Congress aims to capitalize on this disintegration to gain an edge in key constituencies.
Election Results Awaited
The counting of votes will take place on October 8, with results expected to be announced for both the Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on the same day. As Haryana voters head to the polls, the stakes couldn’t be higher, with both the BJP and Congress anticipating a tight race.
