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The state of Haryana, in India, is holding its breath as the counting of votes for the recent state assembly elections is set to take place on Tuesday, October 8th. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), confident of securing a third consecutive term, faces a strong challenge from the Indian National Congress (INC), which is aiming to return to power after a decade-long absence.
The BJP's campaign has centered around highlighting its achievements in governance, including equitable development, job creation, and welfare initiatives for various sections of society. They are banking on their record of transparency and good administration to secure another victory. However, the Congress and other opposition parties have painted a contrasting picture, criticizing the BJP government's performance on issues such as farmer welfare, unemployment, inflation, law and order, and the Agniveer scheme.
The election results in Haryana hold significant political implications, as they represent the first major direct contest between the BJP and Congress since the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. The outcome will likely be used by the winning party to bolster their position in upcoming state elections scheduled in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi. The other key parties vying for power in Haryana include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) partnered with the Azad Samaj Party. However, the majority of the seats are expected to witness a direct battle between the BJP and Congress.
Several exit polls have predicted a Congress victory in Haryana, where the voter turnout was recorded at 67.90%. However, the incumbent Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, has dismissed these predictions, confidently asserting that the BJP will secure a full majority and form the government for a third term. On the other hand, the Congress leader and former Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has expressed his party's confidence in securing a comfortable majority, and has hinted at the BJP's reliance on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) as a justification for any potential defeat.
The INLD-BSP alliance has also expressed its optimism about forming the next government, while the JJP leader, Dushyant Chautala, has indicated that his alliance is expected to secure a significant number of seats. The AAP, contesting the elections independently, has claimed that no government can be formed without its support.
The upcoming counting day will witness a fierce contest between the BJP and Congress in Haryana, with the outcome potentially shaping the political landscape in other states leading up to the upcoming general elections. The results are eagerly awaited by the electorate, political parties, and observers alike, as they will determine the fate of the current government and offer insights into the prevailing political sentiments within the state.
Source: Haryana Votes To Be Counted Tomorrow; BJP Confident, Congress Hopeful