Exit Polls Predict Congress Comeback in Haryana After 10 Years in Opposition

After a decade in opposition, the Congress party appears set for a significant resurgence in Haryana as the state gears up for its 2024 Assembly election results. Exit polls suggest that the party could secure between 44 to 64 seats in the 90-member Assembly, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to garner around 15 to 32 seats. With the exit polls favoring Congress, the party looks to capitalize on the declining support for the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), one of the key regional players.

The battle for Haryana has been fiercely fought, with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini leading the BJP’s campaign. Saini, who took over the reins from Manohar Lal Khattar earlier this year, is aiming to secure a third consecutive term for the BJP in the state. However, Congress, led by veteran leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has mounted a strong challenge. Hooda, a former chief minister, is relying on anti-incumbency sentiment and strategic alliances to regain power, though the Congress has yet to announce an official chief ministerial candidate.

Among the high-profile candidates for Congress is wrestling champion-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat, who is contesting from Julana. In a bid to strengthen its position, Congress has also made key alliances, notably leaving the Bhiwani seat to its INDIA bloc partner, the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Meanwhile, regional forces like the JJP and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) are positioning themselves to potentially hold the balance of power in case of a hung assembly.

The exit polls will give an early indication of whether the BJP can retain its grip on Haryana, or if the Congress will finally return to power after 10 years. Results for Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir will be declared on October 8.

Historic Elections in Jammu & Kashmir: Congress-NC Alliance Gains Ground

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections hold particular significance as they are the first to take place since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. For the first time in decades, several communities, including West Pakistan Refugees, Valmikis, and Gurkhas, have been granted voting rights, marking a new era in the region’s political landscape.

Exit polls suggest a tight contest in Jammu and Kashmir, with most projecting a lead for the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance. Pollsters, including Dhruv Research and Republic-Matrize, indicate that the Congress-NC alliance could win between 40 to 48 seats, while the BJP is expected to secure 27 to 32 seats. However, J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina remains optimistic that the BJP will emerge as the single largest party when results are announced on October 8.

Voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir has been notable, particularly in the Jammu region, where districts like Udhampur and Kathua saw figures above 70%. In Udhampur, the turnout was recorded at 76.09%, the highest in the final phase of voting. Meanwhile, in historically separatist strongholds like Baramulla and Sopore, voter participation has seen significant improvement compared to previous elections.

The outcome of these elections will not only determine the political future of Jammu and Kashmir but also reflect the impact of the newly enfranchised communities on the region’s traditional voting patterns.

What the Exit Polls Indicate

According to most exit polls, the Congress is on track to secure a comfortable victory in Haryana, while a more competitive race is anticipated in Jammu and Kashmir. India Today-CVoter has projected a win for the Congress-NC alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, giving them a possible 40 to 48 seats, while the BJP could finish with 27 to 32 seats.

While exit polls are not always definitive, they offer valuable insights into public sentiment and set the tone for political debates ahead of vote counting. As the actual results will be revealed on October 8, analysts and political commentators will be watching closely to see if the exit poll predictions align with the final outcomes.

Stay tuned for live updates and expert analysis as the exit poll results shape the discourse leading up to the official announcement of the election results in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.