BJP Poised For Historic Third Term; Ready To Serve Haryana, Says CM Saini

Defying exit poll predictions, the ruling BJP is set to win a third consecutive term in Haryana, as vote counting continues. Incumbent Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed the party’s readiness to serve the state for a third time. “The BJP is ready to serve Haryana for the third time,” Saini stated, as he leads in the Ladwa constituency in Kurukshetra district. The BJP is currently leading in 45 seats and has already secured three victories, positioning itself for another term in office.

This election marks the first major confrontation between the BJP and Congress following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and is seen as a key indicator for upcoming Assembly polls in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi. While the Congress has shown some improvement from its 2019 performance, it remains far behind the BJP in Haryana. Congress is currently ahead in 34 seats and has already claimed victory in eight constituencies.

Congress Sees Limited Gains Despite Competitive Contest

Although the Congress has been out of power in Haryana for 10 years, it has shown a stronger presence in these elections compared to 2019. Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat, a former wrestler, secured a significant win in the Julana constituency, defeating her BJP rival by a margin of 6,015 votes. Phogat credited her victory to the people’s support, saying, “This was a people’s battle, and they’ve won. I was just a face. I am thankful for all the love and respect that I’ve received.” She expressed optimism about Congress’ overall performance, adding, “Let’s wait for the final results. I am sure the Congress will definitely win.”

However, despite some wins, the Congress trails behind the BJP. In the Thanesar constituency, Congress candidate Ashok Kumar Arora emerged victorious with 70,076 votes, securing a margin of 3,243 votes against his BJP opponent Subhash Sudha, who garnered 66,833 votes.

Independent and Smaller Candidates Make Their Mark

Savitri Jindal, an Independent candidate and India’s wealthiest woman, claimed victory in Hisar. Jindal, who controls the OP Jindal Group, previously represented the Hisar urban general seat for two consecutive terms beginning in 2005. She also served as a minister for nine years in Bhupinder Hooda’s Congress government. In these elections, Jindal sought to secure one final term, pledging to complete developmental works for Hisar. She won over voters in this highly literate constituency, which has a 73% literacy rate, securing her position once again.

In Ambala Cantonment, BJP candidate and six-time legislator Anil Vij is leading with 42,460 votes, maintaining a margin of 6,670 votes over his nearest rival, Independent candidate Chitra Sarwara, who has 35,790 votes. Vij’s lead continues to grow as counting progresses, reinforcing the BJP’s dominance in this key constituency.

BJP’s Key Figures Lead; AAP Struggles to Gain Ground

The BJP’s state president, Mohan Lal Badoli, who did not contest these elections, confirmed that Nayab Singh Saini would remain the Chief Minister if the party wins. Saini, leading from Ladwa, has been a prominent figure for the BJP, and the national leadership has already backed him to continue serving as the state’s head.

In another critical race, BJP candidate Shruti Choudhry has maintained a lead over her cousin and Congress rival Anirudh Chaudhary in the Tosham constituency. After 15 rounds of counting, Shruti Choudhry is ahead by 13,981 votes, reinforcing her position as a dominant force in this election.

Interestingly, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which contested all 90 seats in Haryana, has yet to secure a victory. Despite a robust campaign, the party has struggled to make inroads in the state, and early results indicate that its presence may remain minimal in this election cycle.

Congress Retains Nuh, Dominates in Muslim-Majority Areas

While the BJP continues to make gains across Haryana, the Congress has managed to hold on to its stronghold in the Muslim-dominated Nuh region. The Congress retained all three seats in the district, with Aftab Ahmed winning in Nuh, Mohammad Ilyas securing Punahana, and Mamman Khan claiming victory in Ferozepur Jhirka. These wins are significant for the Congress as it seeks to maintain influence in areas where the party has historically performed well.

As vote counting continues, the political landscape in Haryana is becoming clearer. The BJP’s strong performance indicates that the party is on track for a historic third term, solidifying its hold on the state. The Congress, while making gains, remains behind in the overall tally. With final results expected soon, the battle for Haryana appears to be nearing its conclusion, with the BJP set to emerge victorious.

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