In the latest trends of the Haryana Assembly Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has crossed the majority mark to form the government. Meanwhile, Congress candidate Gokul Setia has secured victory in the much-watched Sirsa Assembly seat by defeating sitting MLA Gopal Kanda. Setia won with a margin of 7,234 votes, while Gopal Kanda, who ran as an independent candidate, received 71,786 votes. Gokul Setia garnered 79,020 votes in total.
The election battle in Sirsa was one of the most intense contests of the 2024 Haryana Assembly Elections. On October 8, the results were officially announced after 16 rounds of voting, resulting in a major upset for Gopal Kanda. BJP, having previously backed Kanda in this election by withdrawing their own candidate from the seat, also faced defeat in Sirsa. Interestingly, in the 2019 Assembly elections, Gopal Kanda had narrowly won the Sirsa seat, defeating Gokul Setia by a slim margin of just 602 votes.
Sirsa Assembly is known for its urban electorate and has been a focal point in the Haryana Assembly elections due to its diverse mix of Punjabi, Bagri, and Rajasthani cultures. Being a part of the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency, this seat has historically witnessed close contests. The 2024 elections, however, have shown a shift in favor of Congress with Setia taking revenge for his 2019 loss.
In the last few elections, Sirsa has seen triangular contests between key political figures. This time, with BJP stepping aside for Kanda, the battle was expected to be tough. However, Kanda’s defeat reflects changing political dynamics in the region.
Main Points
Gopal Kanda’s Political Journey and Legal Controversies
Gopal Kanda has remained a controversial figure, not just in politics but also in his personal life. His involvement in legal issues has kept him in the headlines. Kanda was arrested by the Delhi Police in 2012 after being accused of abetting the suicide of an air hostess, Geetika Sharma, who worked at his now-defunct MDLR Airlines. Kanda spent nearly 18 months in jail before being acquitted of the charges.
Despite these controversies, Gopal Kanda had a successful political career, having won the Sirsa Assembly seat as an independent candidate in 2019. However, his defeat this time around marks a significant shift in his political fortune.
Sirsa’s Political Landscape
Sirsa has always been one of the most competitive seats in Haryana’s political landscape. In the 2024 Assembly elections, Gokul Setia’s victory not only represents a personal triumph but also underscores Congress’s growing influence in the region. This shift comes after Congress’s Kumari Selja won the Sirsa Lok Sabha seat in 2024 by a large margin, defeating BJP’s Ashok Tanwar by over 2.68 lakh votes.
Gopal Kanda’s loss could also impact his political standing, as his association with controversial incidents and past allegations may have played a role in voter sentiment. The Congress party’s victory in Sirsa is a strong indicator of the region’s evolving political leanings.
Full Details of the Voting and Results
The final voting data from the Sirsa Assembly seat, released on Monday, October 8, shows the following:
- Gokul Setia (Congress): 79,020 votes
- Gopal Kanda (Independent): 71,786 votes
- Vote Margin: 7,234 votes
- Total Rounds of Voting: 16
- Voter Turnout: Moderate with significant participation from urban and semi-urban sections
In comparison to previous elections, Gokul Setia’s win this time reflects the growing discontent with Gopal Kanda’s leadership in the area. Political analysts suggest that local issues, coupled with Kanda’s past controversies, contributed to his loss in these elections.
With Congress now holding the Sirsa seat, this victory adds to their tally as they aim to consolidate power in the upcoming sessions of the Haryana Assembly.
Conclusion of the Election Day in Sirsa
As the results of the Haryana Assembly election trends unfolded, Gokul Setia’s win in Sirsa was one of the key highlights of the day. Kanda, who once held the region with a strong grip, now faces an uncertain political future. This election also serves as a testament to how voter preferences can drastically change within a few years, as seen in Sirsa’s dramatic shift from 2019 to 2024.
With the majority of the results now confirmed, BJP looks set to form the government in Haryana, but the defeat of its ally in Sirsa stands out as one of the more surprising outcomes of this election cycle.
