What Ashok Gehlot Said on Congress' Defeat in Haryana?

In the wake of Congress’ unexpected defeat in the Haryana assembly elections, senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed deep concern over the results. Gehlot, who served as a senior observer for the elections in Haryana, acknowledged that the loss has been taken very seriously by the party. 

Gehlot voiced the growing unease among Congress workers, questioning how the anticipated victory turned into a surprising defeat. His comments came after a Congress meeting held in Delhi, where party leaders gathered to discuss the aftermath of the election results.

A Surprising Defeat

Speaking to the media, Gehlot remarked on the stark contrast between pre-election predictions and the actual results. He said, "This defeat is being taken very seriously. The entire media, exit polls, and the general public were all predicting that a Congress government was going to be formed. Then, how did the results come out the opposite? This has raised apprehensions among our workers."

Gehlot's reflections highlight the unexpected nature of the outcome. Throughout the campaign, Congress had been perceived as the front-runner, with many expecting a strong performance. The defeat has left both party members and the public questioning what went wrong and how such a significant shift occurred.

Leadership Takes the Matter Seriously

Gehlot further elaborated on the seriousness with which the Congress leadership is addressing the situation. According to him, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi have taken the results to heart, seeking to understand the reasons behind the party's loss. 

"Kharge sahab and Rahul ji have taken it very seriously," he said. "Senior observers and secretaries were called, and an open discussion took place."

The meeting in Delhi, which Gehlot attended, was focused on examining the factors that led to the defeat and planning a way forward. Gehlot emphasized the importance of understanding the root causes of the unexpected results. He noted that a party with such widespread expectations of victory must carefully analyze what led to the reversal of fortunes.

Apprehensions Among Workers and the Public

In his statement, Gehlot openly acknowledged the doubts and concerns that have arisen among Congress workers. He said, "There was a good discussion in the meeting. KC Venugopal will oversee the follow-up process. It is important to get to the bottom of this issue. Our workers have apprehensions in their minds about how such a significant reversal occurred."

Gehlot also pointed out that the sense of unease isn't limited to party members alone but extends to the general public as well. Gehlot mentioned the possibility of irregularities with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) as a factor contributing to the unexpected outcome. He said, "The common people also have apprehensions. EVMs may have been the reason, or there may have been other circumstances."

Appeal to the Election Commission

In light of the widespread doubts, Gehlot shared that the party had approached the Election Commission to seek clarification on the matter. "We have met the Election Commission and asked them to remove our apprehensions. We have also given a memorandum in writing," he said. 

Gehlot’s statements come at a time when the Congress party is grappling with the aftermath of the election defeat and trying to rebuild morale among its supporters. The call for clarity from the Election Commission is part of a broader effort to address the concerns and restore confidence within the party's ranks.

Key Figures Absent from the Meeting

Interestingly, two prominent Congress leaders from Haryana, Bhupendra Singh Hooda and state Congress president Udaybhan, did not attend the meeting. Udaybhan, who also lost his seat in the assembly elections, was notably absent during the discussions. However, Gehlot, along with Congress leader Ajay Maken, were present as observers for the Haryana elections, and both were part of the core group leading the post-election analysis.

The absence of Hooda and Udaybhan adds another layer of complexity to the party's internal discussions and reflects the challenges the Haryana Congress faces in rebuilding after the defeat.

As Congress comes to terms with the election loss in Haryana, the focus will now be on introspection and planning for the future. The coming days will likely see further developments as the party works to regain its footing in Haryana and address the concerns raised in the aftermath of the election.