PTI, Chandigarh / Srinagar - In a surprising twist that defied all pre-election predictions, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully retained power in Haryana for the third consecutive term. The results have not only solidified BJP's influence in the state but have also paved the way for the return of former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting a contrasting electoral landscape in the region. The elections, which followed the abrogation of Article 370, were the first assembly elections after the Lok Sabha elections held in June.
While the Congress party managed to block BJP's advance in the Lok Sabha, it failed to make a significant impact in either state during the assembly elections. Independent candidate Engineer Rashid's victory in the Lok Sabha was noteworthy, but his Awami Ittehad Party did not replicate that success in the assembly elections, leaving the party largely ineffective. In Haryana, the BJP's election strategy played a crucial role in its triumph. By shifting focus to secure votes from the Other Backward Classes against the dominant Jat community, the BJP orchestrated a meticulous campaign.
The shift in leadership from outgoing Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to Naib Singh Saini shortly before the polls proved to be a masterstroke; Saini won his seat in the Ladwa constituency by a margin of 16,000 votes. Despite this setback for the Congress, Bhupinder Hooda managed to retain his seat in the Ghri Sapla-Kiloi constituency with a substantial margin, while senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala's son, Aditya, triumphed over BJP MLA Leela Ram in Kaitihal. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference, in alliance with the Congress, has emerged victorious.
Farooq Abdullah announced that his son, Omar Abdullah, will resume the role of Chief Minister after winning from both his constituencies. The BJP secured its best performance to date in Jammu, capturing 29 out of 43 seats, but failed to make headway in the Kashmir Valley, which holds 47 seats. In the wake of these results, the Congress party has expressed its discontent. General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the outcome in Haryana, labeling it as a failure of the democratic process.
He emphasized the discrepancy between the expected and actual results during a press conference. The People's Democratic Party, led by Mehbooba Mufti, faced a dismal defeat, managing to secure only three seats in the assembly. As the dust settles on these significant electoral outcomes, the BJP's continued dominance in Haryana and the resurgence of the Abdullah family in Jammu and Kashmir mark a pivotal moment in regional politics, leaving the Congress grappling to reassess its strategies moving forward.