New Delhi: As the BJP overtook the Congress in Haryana after trailing in the early rounds of counting, the atmosphere at both party offices shifted dramatically within the last hour. With several rounds of counting still remaining, the situation remains fluid. While exit polls had predicted a Congress landslide in Haryana, they have often been inaccurate.
As of 10:30 am, more than two-and-a-half hours into the count, the BJP is leading in 47 out of 90 seats, while the Congress, which had initially started celebrating, is ahead in 36 seats—nine fewer than the BJP.
Earlier in the day, the Congress began celebrating at their Delhi headquarters with firecrackers and jalebis. But as later rounds favored the BJP, the celebrations moved to the BJP office, where media personnel were treated to snacks and laddoos. Meanwhile, the mood at the Congress office has become subdued, though party supporters remain hopeful for a victory.
Congress leaders are maintaining a confident front despite the setback. Party veteran Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed certainty that the Congress will win in Haryana, a sentiment echoed by senior leader Kumari Shelja.
If these numbers hold, it would mark a third consecutive victory for the BJP in Haryana and its strongest performance ever in the politically crucial state.
In the 2019 Haryana Assembly election, the BJP won 40 seats, the Congress secured 31, and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) claimed 10. The BJP formed a government with the support of the JJP. This time, however, the JJP, no longer allied with the BJP, has faced a setback.
