Updated

Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh/Srinagar 

Chandigarh/Srinagar, Oct 8: In a closely watched political contest, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in the Haryana Assembly elections, while the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance secured a significant win in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The polls have delivered distinct outcomes, reshaping the political landscape in both regions.

In Haryana, the BJP claimed 48 out of 90 assembly seats, surpassing the majority mark of 46. The Indian National Congress (INC) garnered 37 seats, showcasing a strong performance but ultimately falling short of forming the government. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) won 2 seats, with independent candidates and smaller parties collectively securing 3 seats. 

Conversely, in Jammu & Kashmir, the Congress-NC alliance achieved a comfortable majority, winning 49 seats in the 90-member assembly. While Congress managed to secure only 6 seats, the NC led the way with 43 seats. The BJP emerged as the second-largest party, capturing 29 seats but failing to pose a significant challenge to the Congress-NC coalition. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) faced a steep decline, winning just 3 seats, while the Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) secured 1 seat, and other smaller parties and independents took home 8 seats.

The elections held in Jammu & Kashmir were particularly significant as they marked the first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, leading to a shift in the region's political dynamics. This election was also notable for its peaceful conduct, with an overall voter turnout of 63.45%, surpassing that of the recent Lok Sabha elections. For the first time, communities including West Pakistan Refugees, Valmikis, and Gurkhas participated in the electoral process.

The National Conference, under the leadership of Omar Abdullah, reaffirmed its presence in Jammu & Kashmir, coming off a decade of political upheaval. Abdullah's social media engagement during the counting process indicated his confidence, and the party's significant win suggests a positive response from the electorate. The NC's success is crucial as it strives to maintain relevance against its rivals, including the PDP and BJP.

In contrast, the BJP's victory in Haryana came as a surprise to many, especially given the challenges the party faced from anti-incumbency sentiments and public protests. Despite these obstacles, the BJP managed to secure a majority, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. The party's decision to replace Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini shortly before the elections appears to have been a strategic move that paid off.

In Haryana, despite Congress's loss, wrestler Vinesh Phogat emerged as a notable winner, securing her first electoral victory from the Julana seat after joining the party shortly before the elections.

The assembly elections revealed significant losers as well, particularly the exit poll predictors who miscalculated the BJP's success in Haryana and the Congress-NC alliance's decisive win in Jammu & Kashmir. Moreover, the Congress party, despite initial momentum from the recent Lok Sabha elections, failed to convert its popularity into votes, raising questions about its leadership, particularly that of Rahul Gandhi.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda, backed by the Congress high command, faced scrutiny as the party's performance fell short of expectations. Meanwhile, the PDP and Mehbooba Mufti struggled to gain traction in Jammu & Kashmir, reflecting a lack of strategy in their approach.

Overall, the election results underscore a pivotal moment in Indian politics, with the BJP maintaining its hold in Haryana and the Congress-NC alliance solidifying its position in Jammu & Kashmir amidst ongoing changes in the political landscape.

Final Results:

Haryana (90 seats)

BJP -  48 

INC - 37

INLD - 2 

Others - 3

Jammu and Kashmir (90 seats)

Cong+NC - 49

PDP - 3

BJP - 29

AIP - 1

Others  - 8

Earlier update

Haryana, J&K await results as vote counting begins for assembly elections

Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh/Srinagar

Chandigarh/Srinagar, Oct 8: The stage is set in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) as the counting of votes for their respective Assembly elections began on Tuesday. The results will determine the political fate of key players in both states.

In Haryana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Congress, as the principal opposition party, hopes to make a comeback. The counting process is underway across 93 counting centres spread across all 22 districts. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pankaj Agarwal stated that two counting centres have been set up for the Badshahpur, Gurugram, and Pataudi constituencies, while one centre is allocated for each of the remaining 87 constituencies. The Election Commission of India has appointed 90 counting observers to monitor the process.

In Jammu & Kashmir, voters eagerly await the results as counting began for all 90 Assembly constituencies across 20 districts at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The political fate of 873 candidates, including senior leaders from the National Conference (NC), BJP, Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), People's Conference, Apni Party, CPI(M), Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), and several independent candidates, will be decided.

Both states are on edge as they await the outcomes that could reshape their political landscapes.