Haryana Election Results 2024: A Stunning Upset for Congress as BJP Secures Historic Hat-Trick
In a surprising turn of events, the final results of the Haryana Assembly elections held on October 5, 2024, have left many political analysts and party leaders scratching their heads. Despite widespread predictions and exit polls favoring the Congress party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged victorious, clinching a historic third consecutive term in the state by winning 48 out of 90 assembly seats. The Congress, led by prominent figures like Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Bhupinder Hooda, managed to secure only 37 seats, falling short of the majority mark.
The initial hours of vote counting had given Congress a glimmer of hope, as they appeared to be leading. However, the momentum quickly shifted in favor of the BJP, which ultimately solidified its position as the dominant party in Haryana. The unexpected results prompted Congress leaders to express their disbelief, with Hooda stating that the outcome was “unexpected” given the pre-election forecasts.
Political leaders from various parties have weighed in on the surprising results. Sanjay Raut, a leader from Congress ally Shiv Sena (UBT), attributed the party’s defeat to “overconfidence” and suggested that the outcome might have been different had Congress formed an alliance with other INDIA bloc partners like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Samajwadi Party. This sentiment reflects a growing concern within the opposition about the effectiveness of their strategies in the face of a resurgent BJP.
In a related development, just a day after the Haryana election results, AAP announced its decision to contest the upcoming Delhi assembly elections independently, without an alliance with Congress. This decision comes ahead of the elections scheduled for February 2025, as political dynamics continue to shift in the region. The AAP’s choice to go solo raises questions about the potential impact on both parties in the upcoming polls, especially in light of the recent Haryana results.
Political analyst Amitabh Tiwari weighed in on the implications of the Haryana election results, questioning whether an alliance between Congress and AAP would have made a significant difference. Tiwari noted that AAP’s vote share in Haryana was minimal, suggesting that the party’s presence would not have substantially altered the outcome. He pointed out that the real damage to Congress came from internal dissent, with 29 rebel candidates running in the elections, 17 of whom negatively impacted the party’s prospects.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the question remains: will the Haryana election results influence upcoming elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi? Tiwari believes that the BJP’s victory could energize its cadre and impact seat-sharing arrangements among alliance partners in Maharashtra. Additionally, the results may prompt political leaders to reconsider their party affiliations and influence undecided voters in future elections.
With elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand approaching later this year, and the Delhi assembly elections on the horizon, the stakes are high for all parties involved. The Haryana results serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of politics and the importance of strategic alliances in the quest for electoral success.
As the dust settles on the Haryana elections, political observers will be closely monitoring how these developments unfold in the lead-up to the 2025 elections, particularly in Delhi, where the AAP has held power since 2015. The dynamics between Congress and AAP will be crucial as both parties navigate their paths forward in a rapidly changing political landscape.
