How BJP Turned The Tide to Defeat Congress in Haryana

New Delhi: In world of politics, much like in cricket, match isn't over until last ball is bowled. Haryana election results on Tuesday served as a vivid reminder of this reality. BJP , which appeared to be trailing in early trends, deftly turned tables and snatched victory from clutches of Congress , showcasing ir prowess as results rolled in. While Congress celebrated early with party worker Jagdish Sharma distributing jalebis and ldoos outside ir hequarters, BJP proved that ir strategic plan could turn tide ir way, leaving opposition totally stunned.  

Proving exit poll predictions wrong, Election Commission's tally indicated that BJP h eir won or was leing in 49 out of 90 assembly seats (at time of filing article). If se results hold, it will mark BJP 's best-ever performance in state. While Congress increased its vote share by 11%, its overall share of over 39% still lagged slightly behind BJP's 39.89%, reflecting BJP's gains compared to 2019 polls. However, se figures may still change as Election Commission releases final data.

se abovementioned figures are historic as no party has ever achieved a hat-trick in Haryana since it was carved out of Punjab in 1966. Haryana Assembly election was largely expected to favour Congress , with many predicting it would be ir election from beginning to end, a sentiment echoed by exit polls. However, BJP defied all expectations, accomplishing what many deemed impossible. 

How BJP Snatched Victory From Jaws of Congress ? 

As Congress and its leers struggle to find an explanation, let’s take a closer look at key factors that contributed to BJP ’s hat-trick in Haryana .    

Saini Factor: After split with JJP, BJP 's decision to replace Manohar Lal Khattar with low-profile OBC leer Nayab Singh Saini as chief minister has proven to be a masterstroke. Saini's leership came at a crucial time when BJP was facing big challenges in Haryana , grappling with rising anti-incumbency and Jat resentment. Despite setbacks in Lok Sabha polls, where BJP lost half its seats, Saini managed to turn tide.

Under intense opposition criticism over issues like farmer distress, unemployment, Agnipath scheme, and inflation, Saini’s strategic populist measures helped restore faith in party. His approval of Agniveer policy, which guarantees jobs to Agniveers after ir service, and his decision to increase number of crops bought at MSP by 10, showcased his commitment to dressing public concerns, winning back voter confidence in process.   

Congress infighting: A key factor that worked in BJP ’s favour was internal strife within Congress , with its top leers locked in a power struggle. Even before election, Congress leers were so confident of victory that y h alrey begun competing for Chief Minister's position. public power tussle between Congress veteran Bhupinder Singh Hooda and senior leer Kumari Selja only ded to party's woes, requiring behind--scenes damage control. This internal discord weakened ir campaign and played right into BJP 's hands. 

As grand old party failed in its bid to make a come back in Haryana , a blame game began in Congress with Shelja taking a veiled attack on Hooda. " Haryana poll results are disappointing and I am pained at disappointment of Congress workers in state who have worked very hard and were looking forward to forming ir government after 10 years. It will not be business as usual in Haryana and I am sure Congress high command would identify those who negated efforts to bring party to power after 10 years," she told reporters.

Sirsa Lok Sabha MP and former union minister said she was sure that Congress high command would go into all aspects that led to such results and would identify reasons and those responsible for bringing such results. "I'm sure party will look into all aspects that led to such results in Haryana ," Selja said.  She referred to factors affecting organisation like taking everyone along and ensuring coordination among all leers in state.   

Loyalty of Urban Voters:   BJP 's stronghold in Ahirwal belt of sourn Haryana , which helped party secure its victories in 2014 and 2019, once again proved crucial in 2024.   Ahirwal region in sourn Haryana has 11 assembly segments spre over three Lok Sabha seats – Bhiwani-Mahendergarh, Gurgaon and Rohtak (one segment only) – having a sizeable presence of Ahir voters.  

As Tuesday's results came in, BJP dominated Ahirwal region, sweeping all 11 Assembly seats. This continued support h alrey been seen in 2024 Lok Sabha election, where 10 out of 11 Assembly segments backed BJP . Gurugram, cyber hub of Haryana , also voted overwhelmingly in favour of saffron party. 

Rao Inderjit Singh, prominent Ahirwal leer and BJP MP from Gurgaon, who secured his sixth term earlier in 2024, led party’s campaign in region, delivering yet anor resounding victory for BJP .

‘Victory of Politics of Development, Good Governance’   

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed BJP 's win in Haryana Assembly polls as a victory of its politics of development and good governance, assuring people that party will leave no stone unturned to fulfil people's aspirations. In a series of posts on X, Modi also complimented National Conference for its "commendable" performance in Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Expressing heartfelt thanks to people of Haryana , he conveyed his gratefulness to m for giving BJP a majority for a third straight term. Describing win as a grand victory, he hailed party's "hardworking" members for serving people and taking organisation's development agenda to m. " BJP has achieved this historic win due to this," PM Modi asserted.

With party also notching up its best-ever tally in Jammu and Kashmir as in Haryana , he said he was proud of BJP 's performance in Union Territory. 
"I thank all those who have voted for our party and placed ir trust in us. I assure people that we will keep working for welfare of Jammu and Kashmir," he said, praising party workers for ir hard work.