Haryana Assembly Elections 2024: Congress Poised for a Strong Comeback According to Exit Polls

Haryana recorded a voter turnout of 61.5% in the 2024 Assembly elections, with Mewat leading in participation at 68.28% and Gurugram lagging at 49.97%, according to the Election Commission of India. The voting, which took place across 90 assembly constituencies, concluded peacefully on Saturday, setting the stage for exit poll predictions and speculations.

Exit polls have largely favored Congress, projecting a significant victory in the elections after a decade-long recess from power. Various exit poll surveys suggest that Congress could secure between 44 and 64 seats, with the Republic TV-Matrize poll estimating a tally of 55-62 seats. In contrast, the BJP is expected to clinch between 15 and 32 seats, as indicated by different pollsters.

Political analyst and Congress candidate Aditya Surjewala expressed skepticism toward the exit polls, stating, “Exit polls typically underestimate the Congress party. We expect to secure over 70 seats, ensuring a majority government.” Meanwhile, BJP incumbent Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini remains optimistic that his party will retain power, attributing successes to their governance over the past decade.

The main political parties contesting in the elections include the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and alliances such as the Indian National Lok Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party (INLD-BSP) and the Jannayak Janta Party-Azad Samaj Party (JJP-ASP).

Key candidates in the fray include BJP’s Nayab Singh Saini, Anil Vij, and OP Dhankar; Congress’s Bhupinder Singh Hooda and wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat; and JJP’s Dushyant Chautala. Notably, Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has emerged as a leading choice for the Chief Minister’s role, with exit polls showing preference over BJP’s Saini.

The results of the Haryana Assembly elections will be announced on October 8, alongside those from Jammu and Kashmir, and the political dynamics in Haryana could significantly shift based on these outcomes. The Congress party has focused heavily on issues such as unemployment, inflation, and farmers’ welfare, promising seven key guarantees in their manifesto.

As political leaders and parties await the final results, the anticipation in Haryana builds, with the future political landscape hanging in the balance.