As counting began in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana on Tuesday morning, jubilant celebrations erupted outside the Congress headquarters in Delhi, reflecting the party’s confidence in reclaiming power.
Supporters of the Bhupinder Hooda-led Congress danced to the rhythm of dhol, waved flags, and distributed sweets, fueled by optimism from the exit polls predicting a strong performance for the INDIA bloc in both regions.
The early trends from Jammu & Kashmir indicated a promising start for the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance, reported to be leading in several constituencies.
By 9 AM, the alliance had secured a significant lead in 29 seats, while the BJP followed with 20.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, was ahead in six seats, with Independent candidates claiming three.
In Haryana, the Congress campaign, spearheaded by Hooda, appeared to be yielding results, as exit polls suggested an upswing in their seat count in the 90-member assembly.
Initial results showed Congress leading in 41 constituencies compared to the BJP’s 22, indicating a shift in voter sentiment in what has been a predominantly bipolar political contest.
Meanwhile, Hooda’s team expressed confidence that they would surpass the majority mark of 46 required to form the government.
A party spokesperson reflected the atmosphere of optimism, noting that their hard work has garnered evident support from the people.
Conversely, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the BJP candidate from the Ladwa Assembly seat, projected confidence in the party’s chances of securing a third consecutive term without needing any alliances.
“We are set to form the government on our own,” he declared, despite the emerging trends.
BJP Won 40 Seats In 2019 Assembly Elections; Coalition With JJP Dissolved
In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP had won 40 seats, with the Congress securing 31 and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) capturing 10.
The BJP formed a coalition government with the JJP, and Dushyant Chautala served as deputy chief minister.
However, the partnership dissolved when Saini took the reins as Chief Minister.
As the counting progresses, the atmosphere in both regions remains charged with anticipation, with the Congress hoping for a decisive comeback while the BJP aims to maintain its hold on power.
Also Read: Omar Abdullah Optimistic As NC Leads Early Trends In J&K Assembly Elections
