Haryana Election Exit Poll Results 2024: A Potential Shift in Power?
As voting in Haryana wrapped up at 6 PM on October 5 for 90 Assembly seats, all eyes turned to the exit polls that might signal a historic shift in the state’s political landscape. With the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vying for a third consecutive term, and the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) looking to disrupt their momentum, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. Candidates, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Olympic athlete Vinesh Phogat, have played significant roles in what some describe as a dramatic electoral showdown.
The voter turnout by 5 PM was noted at 61%, with Mewat registering the highest participation at 68.28%, while Gurugram experienced the least enthusiasm with a turnout of 49.97%. Over 2 crore voters were eligible to cast their votes across 20,632 polling booths, a testament to the high stakes of the 15th Haryana Legislative Assembly Elections.
Voter Insights and Expectations
Former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar made headlines among early voters with his confident prediction, expecting BJP to secure 50 of the 90 seats. At the same time, Congress leader Deepender Hooda took a gentle jab, recalling how the BJP had previously predicted an ambitious target of 75 seats but ultimately managed just 40. "It seems the real expectations might be a notch lower this time," he quipped.
The key players in this election include the BJP, Congress, AAP, and a pre-poll alliance between the Indian National Lok Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party (INLD-BSP) and the Jannayak Janta Party-Azad Samaj Party (JJP-ASP). With a total of 1,031 candidates in the fray, predictions based on exit polls reveal varied prospects for each party.
Exit Poll Predictions
Initial projections from multiple agencies indicate a potential comeback for Congress, which might secure anywhere from 44 to 64 seats, while BJP could be reduced to between 15 and 32 seats. Red Mike-Datansh and Dainik Bhaskar forecast Congress winning between 50 and 55 seats, further painting a picture of an impending power shift.
Speculation among political analysts suggests that if these exit polls hold true, the Congress party is on track to break its decade-long hiatus from power in Haryana. Bhupinder Hooda expresses growing confidence, indicating that the sentiment across the state favors Congress for a decisive majority.
The Political Landscape
In this race, both Congress and BJP are aware of the socio-economic backdrop against which this election is being held—reflecting a decade of governance and changing voter sentiments. Leaders like Nayab Singh Saini have been vocal about the government’s accomplishments, declaring that their administration has worked tirelessly for all segments of society, eradicating biases that may have once plagued the state’s governance.
On the other side, Congress has leveraged its past governance period (2005-2014) as a selling point; Hooda rightly reminds voters of their achievements while contrasting them with BJP’s current tenure, inviting comparisons not just on numbers but on overall governance quality.
What’s Next?
As counting day approaches on October 8, uncertainty looms large. Will BJP manage to retain its grip on power? Or will this election see a formidable comeback for the Congress party? The answers to these questions will reshape Haryana’s future, setting the tone for both local and national politics.
As results are eagerly awaited, informed predictions offer a tantalizing glimpse into a possible reshuffling of Haryana’s political landscape. The results will either affirm the BJP’s continued relevance or mark a significant rejuvenation for Congress, especially with established leaders ready to reclaim their political stakes. This moment could herald a new chapter for Haryana and its governance style.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates and insights as the counting unfolds on October 8!
