PTI, Chandigarh/Srinagar — In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully retained power in Haryana for the third consecutive time, defying numerous predictions following the recent post-poll assessments. While this victory consolidates the BJP's foothold in Haryana, the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir is also witnessing significant changes, as the National Conference, led by Omar Abdullah, prepares to reclaim leadership after years of turmoil. The assembly elections in both states have drawn considerable attention, particularly following the abrogation of Article 370, which altered the political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir.
The results from Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir mark a pivotal moment in the region's electoral history, as they reflect shifting allegiances and voting patterns. In Haryana, despite a strong challenge from the Congress party, the BJP's strategic maneuvering proved effective. The replacement of Manohar Lal Khattar with Naib Singh Saini as the chief ministerial candidate appears to have paid off, as Saini secured a victory in the Ladwa constituency by a margin of 16,000 votes. Notably, Bhupinder Hooda from Congress retained his seat in Ghri Sapla-Kiloi with a significant margin, while senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala's son, Aditya, triumphed over the BJP's Leela Ram in Kaitihal constituency.
In contrast, senior BJP leader Anil Vij narrowly won his seat in Ambala Cantt, indicating a competitive race. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference and Congress alliance managed to secure a majority in the assembly elections, signaling a potential shift in governance. Farooq Abdullah has announced that his son, Omar Abdullah, will once again serve as Chief Minister, having won from both constituencies he contested. The BJP marked its best performance in Jammu, winning 29 out of 43 seats, yet continued to struggle in the Kashmir Valley, where it has yet to secure any seats.
The Congress party, however, has expressed its discontent with the electoral outcomes, particularly in Haryana. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the results, stating that they illustrate a failure of the democratic process. He argued that the mandate reflected a stark contrast to the pre-election sentiment observed on the ground. The People's Democratic Party, led by Mehbooba Mufti, also faced a harsh defeat, managing to win only three seats. As the dust settles on these election results, the political landscape in both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir remains fraught with possibility and uncertainty, setting the stage for intense political maneuvers in the months ahead.