Congress on the Verge of Comeback in Haryana: Exit Polls Predict 55-62 Seats

Exit polls for the 2024 Haryana Assembly Elections suggest a major political shift in the state, with Congress likely to end the decade-long BJP rule. Pollsters have predicted that Congress is poised to form the next government with a comfortable majority. Voting for all 90 Assembly seats took place in a single phase on Saturday, and the official results will be declared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, alongside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election results.

According to the Republic TV exit poll, Congress is expected to secure between 55 and 62 seats, comfortably surpassing the majority mark of 46 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had hoped to make inroads in the state, is projected to draw a blank. Meanwhile, BJP, currently in power, is forecast to win only 21 seats, a steep decline from its previous position.

The Axis My India poll echoes this sentiment, predicting that Congress will clinch 50-55 seats, while the BJP is expected to get between 20-25 seats. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is likely to secure 3-5 seats, with the same range forecasted for independents and smaller parties.

In a similar vein, the ABP News survey anticipates a Congress win with 57 seats out of 90. The BJP, according to ABP, will secure around 27 seats, still far short of retaining power in the state.

These projections indicate a clear reversal of fortunes for the BJP, which has governed Haryana since 2014. Congress’s strong performance is attributed to their focus on local issues and the leadership of key figures in the state. The election marks a crucial moment for the party as it looks to regain control of Haryana after ten years in the opposition.

The elections in Haryana were conducted in a single phase on October 5, with polling starting at 7 AM and ending at 6 PM. Over 2 crore eligible voters were expected to cast their votes across 90 assembly constituencies. By 5 PM, the voter turnout was estimated at around 61%, reflecting moderate participation.

The Election Commission of India had imposed a restriction on the release of exit poll data until 6:30 PM on polling day to prevent any undue influence on voters. The Commission also ensured that all forms of media, including television, print, and online platforms, complied with the mandate. This restriction extended to political parties, polling agencies, and individuals involved in election activities.

Initially, polling for the Haryana Assembly was scheduled for October 1 but was later rescheduled to October 5. The counting date, originally set for October 4, was also postponed to October 8.

As the exit polls suggest a significant win for Congress, all eyes are on the final results. A win for Congress would mark their return to power in Haryana, after a decade of BJP dominance. While the exit polls show a clear path for Congress, the official tally on October 8 will confirm whether the predictions hold true.