Haryana Assembly Polls: Congress Hopes Comeback Despite BJP Crossing Majority Mark In Early Trends

Haryana Election 2024: Early trends showed Congress leading, but as counting progressed, BJP caught up

Haryana Election Results 2024: Even as counting was underway, celebrations began in the Congress camp in Haryana early Tuesday morning as early trends gave the massive lead to the party. However, as the day progressed, the grad old party lost its early gains and the fight appeared neck to neck with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As per trends at 10:15, BJP was leading in 52 seats, while Congress was ahead in 33 constituencies. However, despite the party's falling numbers, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda extruded confidence in the party's comeback in Haryana after 10 years.

"Congress is going to form the government (in Haryana)," said Hooda while talking to ANI in Rohtak.

Congress candidate from Jhajjar, Geeta Bhukkal also expressed confidence in the party's victory and said, "The manner in which people of Jhajjar constituency have given their blessings and support, I hope to win with a thumping majority from here. Congress will form the government in Haryana. Exit polls are in favour of Congress but I think these are not 'Exact Polls', we will win with an even higher number of seats. Congress fought elections on issues..."

On the other hand, the BJP is expecting a turnaround and hoped for a hat-trick. Senior BJP leader Anil Vij said the initial trends are not correct and as the day progresses, it will be clear that the saffron party will be back for the third team in Haryana. "We are hopeful, running equal (to Congress). As counting advances, there will be a lot of turnaround. The initial figures were not correct, because postal ballots were scanned back then," said Vij. 

The counting of votes polled in the October 5 assembly elections in Haryana began at 8 am on Tuesday amid tight security arrangements. Postal ballots were counted first, followed by the counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after 30 minutes. Several exit polls have predicted a Congress victory in Haryana which recorded a voter turnout of 67.90 per cent. However, the BJP has claimed it will return to power for a third consecutive term in Haryana.