BJP on course for Haryana hattrick; Congress-NC leads in J&K
Counting of votes is underway for the assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. The former is eyeing a straight third term, while for the the latter, it is the first assembly elections since 2014. In the early trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has crossed the halfway mark in Haryana. In J&K, the Congress and National Conference (NC) alliance is leading comfortably.
Exit polls predict Congress victory in Haryana
The NC-Congress alliance was ahead in 52 of the 90 constituencies inJ&K, while the BJP was leading in 26 seats and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in four seats. In Haryana, the BJP was in the lead in 48 of the 90 constituencies, while the Congress was leading in 38 seats. Exit polls had predicted a Congress victory in Haryana and a fractured verdict in Jammu and Kashmir, with an edge to the NC-Congress alliance.
BJP's bid for 3rd term in Haryana
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing a third consecutive term in Haryana, despite a strong anti-incumbency wave and resentment among the Jats and farmer community. The party's traditional vote bank among non-Jat communities seems to have changed this election. The BJP fought alone this time, having severed ties with Dushyant Chautala's Jannayak Janata Party ahead of the Lok Sabha election.
J&K's 1st election in a decade
Jammu and Kashmir saw its first election in a decade, during which it was mostly under President's Rule. The state's special status under the Constitution was revoked and it was bifurcated into two Union Territories in 2019. While the Delimitation Commission's decision to increase Jammu region's seats to 43 against Kashmir's 47 has leveled the playing field for BJP, opposition parties argue this could give an unfair advantage to BJP.
Controversy over LG's power to nominate MLAs
The Lieutenant Governor's power to nominate five more members to the assembly has also sparked controversy. Opposition parties have accused this move of interfering with the people's mandate. "Any such move is an assault on democracy, the people's mandate, and the fundamental principles of the Constitution," said Ravinder Sharma, senior vice president and chief spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee.