Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has recently addressed the unexpected results of the Haryana Assembly elections held on October 5, 2024. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a historic third consecutive term, winning 48 out of 90 assembly seats, a significant increase from its previous tally of 40 seats in 2019. In contrast, the Congress party managed to secure only 37 seats, despite earlier predictions suggesting a landslide victory for them based on various exit polls.
Main Points
Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s Reaction
In an interview with The Indian Express, Hooda expressed his disbelief regarding the election outcome. He stated, “It is absolutely bizarre. We remained on the ground throughout all these five years… People from all communities… were eagerly waiting for October 5 to exercise their franchise and throw this government out. Hooda emphasized that the Congress party was confident about forming the government based on feedback from voters and internal surveys that indicated strong support for the party.
Hooda also addressed allegations made by Kumari Selja regarding lopsided ticket distribution within the Congress party. He refuted these claims, explaining that there is a formal procedure for ticket allocation that involves scrutiny at multiple levels before candidates are finalized by the party high command. “How could it be lopsided at my behest?” he questioned.
Allegations of Factionalism
The former chief minister dismissed suggestions that factionalism within the Congress party contributed to its electoral defeat. He pointed out that similar issues exist within the BJP but are often overlooked by their leaders. Hooda stated, “This is all absurd… Our campaign was strong and all the party leaders and workers did their best.
Despite losing the election, Hooda highlighted that the Congress party secured a vote share of approximately 39.09%, closely trailing behind the BJP’s 39.94%. He argued that this narrow margin indicates significant support for Congress across various communities and castes in Haryana.
Hooda’s remarks suggest that he believes the election results do not accurately reflect the public sentiment against the BJP government, which he characterized as underperforming. Following the results, several Congress leaders have raised concerns about potential irregularities in the voting process and counting of votes, particularly regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
The Political Landscape Ahead
The outcome of this election has significant implications for both parties as they prepare for future contests. The BJP’s victory reinforces its position in Haryana and may influence upcoming elections in other states such as Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Conversely, the Congress party faces challenges in rebuilding its image and addressing internal divisions as it seeks to regain power after a decade-long absence from governance in Haryana.
As political analysts assess these developments, it remains clear that both parties will need to strategize effectively to navigate the evolving political landscape in India.
