Haryana Election Exit Poll Results 2024: Projections Indicate Congress Comeback

As voting concluded in Haryana for the 90 assembly seats on October 5, exit poll results have emerged, offering predictions of the possible outcomes. The polls are seen as crucial, as they will determine whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will secure a third consecutive term or if the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) can alter the political dynamics in the state. As the state awaits the counting day on October 8, the voter turnout by 5 PM was recorded at 61%. The Election Commission of India reported Mewat as leading with a turnout of 68.28%, whereas Gurugram recorded a low of 49.97%.

Voting commenced at 7 AM on October 5, and figures such as former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Olympian Manu Bhaker were among the early voters. Khattar expressed confidence that the BJP would secure 50 out of 90 seats. In contrast, Congress leader Deepender Hooda noted that the BJP’s previous prediction of winning “75 seats” last election resulted in only 40, raising skepticism about their current claim.

The key parties vying in these elections include BJP, Congress, AAP, and the pre-poll alliances of Indian National Lok Dal–Bahujan Samaj Party (INLD-BSP) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP)-Azad Samaj Party (ASP). An estimated 1,031 candidates are contesting across 90 constituencies, with over 20,600 polling booths set up. The electorate comprises more than 20 million eligible voters in Haryana.

Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda of Congress stated confidently that voters had resolved to bring the Congress back with a significant majority, highlighting the party’s governance from 2005 to 2014. On the other hand, the BJP’s Nayab Singh Saini asserted the party’s achievements in the last decade and expressed optimism over forming the government again, free from “regional bias” and “parivarvaad” (dynastic politics).

Predictions by several exit polls, such as Dainik Bhaskar, indicated Congress might secure between 44 to 54 seats, while BJP could range from 15 to 29. The Red Mike-Datansh poll anticipated Congress winning 50 to 55 seats, with BJP getting 20 to 25.

Overall, the exit polls suggest an edge for Congress possibly reclaiming power, which could end the BJP’s decade-long rule. However, Nayab Singh Saini and other BJP figures have dismissed the exit polls, expressing confidence in BJP’s performance.