Haryana Election 2024 Results: BJP poised to secure third consecutive term

Following an early strong lead for the Congress party, the latest updates indicate that the BJP is poised to secure a third consecutive term in Haryana. The BJP is leading in 48 out of the 90 Assembly constituencies, while the Congress holds leads in 35 constituencies.

An aggregate of seven exit polls has forecasted that the Congress will win 55 seats, surpassing the halfway mark of 45, while the BJP is expected to secure 26 seats.

Celebrations erupted outside the Congress headquarters in New Delhi before the counting commenced, with party supporters dancing to the beat of dhols. 

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed optimism that the BJP would continue to govern the state for a third term. "We have accomplished significant development over the past decade. The framework established by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will continue to benefit Haryana for years to come. It is our duty to carry this progress forward," stated Mr. Saini, who took over the chief ministership from Mr. Khattar in March.

As the BJP's prospects of forming a government again became clearer, Congress supporters moderated their celebrations but remained hopeful about their party's chances.

In the previous Assembly elections in Haryana in 2019, the BJP won 40 seats, the Congress secured 31, and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) claimed 10 seats. The BJP formed a government with JJP's support, with Dushyant Chautala serving as deputy chief minister. However, the post-poll alliance ended when Mr. Saini assumed the chief minister position.

The BJP's performance in Haryana is particularly crucial, as the party won only five out of the ten Lok Sabha seats in the state after previously sweeping all in 2019. The upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir present an opportunity for the BJP to reaffirm its popularity with voters following its inability to achieve a majority on its own in the recent general elections for the first time in a decade.

For the Congress, the stakes are considerably high, especially after facing significant defeats in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Party leaders have pointed to their gain of 99 seats in this year's general elections and the performance of the INDIA alliance as signs of a resurgence, making the results in both Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir critical tests of that narrative.