New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in celebratory mode after securing its third consecutive term in Haryana, winning 48 seats—an increase of eight from the previous election in 2019. This victory comes despite earlier predictions that suggested a potential setback for the party due to various factors, including farmer dissatisfaction and the ongoing wrestlers’ protests. The BJP also performed well in Jammu and Kashmir, bagging 29 out of the 62 seats contested.
A detailed analysis of the election results reveals that the BJP maintained its dominance particularly in urban centers like Gurugram and Faridabad. In contrast, while Congress made gains in rural areas, the BJP’s support base in urban constituencies remained robust, allowing the party to retain its overall vote share across both urban and rural districts.
Except for Panchkula, which Congress won narrowly by 1,997 votes, the BJP achieved significant victories in major urban constituencies such as Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh, Sonipat, Karnal, and Badshahpur. Notably, BJP candidates Mukesh Sharma and Vipul Goel won in Gurgaon and Faridabad by substantial margins of 68,045 and 48,388 votes, respectively.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned with a focus on farmers, laborers, and marginalized communities, expressed disappointment over the election outcome. He stated, “In Haryana, we don’t need such a government, but one that prioritizes farmers, laborers, and the poor.” However, his message appeared to resonate less with urban voters and the business community, contributing to the party’s weaker performance.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress party also struggled, winning only 6 of the 32 seats it contested. Its ally, the National Conference (NC), led by Farooq Abdullah, achieved a remarkable success, winning all 51 seats it contested in a pre-poll alliance with Congress under the INDIA bloc. This alliance helped consolidate votes and limit the BJP’s influence in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Haryana for their faith in the BJP and praised party workers for their efforts. In a message posted on X, he expressed gratitude to voters and emphasized that the victory signifies the public’s endorsement of the BJP’s agenda of development and good governance. Modi highlighted that the elections in Jammu and Kashmir were particularly special, being the first since the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A), and he lauded the high voter turnout as a demonstration of public belief in democracy.
In stark contrast, Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh criticized the election results, claiming there were serious irregularities in the counting process. He mentioned ongoing complaints regarding the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in at least three districts and indicated that the party would submit consolidated complaints to the Election Commission. Ramesh described the results as “surprising” and “against the ground reality,” asserting that the BJP’s victory was a manipulation of the democratic process.
