Published 10:36 IST, October 24th 2019
Congress overture to Dushyant Chautala amid Haryana trends: Sources
Even as counting is underway for the assembly election in Haryana, sources have said that Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has made overtures to the JJP
Even as counting is underway for the assembly election in Haryana, sources have said that Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has made overtures to Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) chief Dushyant Chautala. As per sources, the JJP chief has demanded the Chief Ministerial post if his party were to ally with the Congress. Sources also said that Bhupinder Hooda's son Deepinder Hooda is on his way to Jind to meet Chautala over the matter.
Dushyant Chautala denies making an offer
Speaking to Republic TV in Jind over about allying with Congress and on the CM post, Chautala stated that any decision on post-poll alliance will be taken after meeting all members of his party. As per trends till 11 AM on October 24, JJP's Dushyant Chautala is himself leading from Uchana Kalan assembly seat.
Dushyant Chautala says his JJP will be kingmaker
As the counting has began on Thursday morning, Dushyant Chautala while speaking to media in Jind district of Haryana, predicted that there could be a hung assembly in the state. He added that JJP will act as a kingmaker in such a situation. On being asked about its probable alliance, he said that the party will hold a delegation level meet after the results are out and after speaking to each and every member, the decision will be taken.
Dushyant Chautala said: "I can at least say this right now that the key to the government of Haryana will be in the hands of JJP. Early trends are coming in. The final result will show what course has been taken by the people of Haryana. Let the result come in, then we will decide which party we will ally with. As per exit polls, there can be a hung assembly, nor BJP will get 40 seats neither Congress will get 40 seats, JJP will be the kingmaker."
Haryana elections overview
As polling was concluded in Haryana on October 21, the Election Commission in its press briefing said that the final turnout was recorded as 65%. As per EC, the state had 19,578 polling stations for 1.83 crore voters, including 85 lakh women and 252 transgenders. While the BJP is eyeing at a second term under Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the Congress wants a comeback in the state. The campaigning by the BJP focussed on the abrogation of Article 370 and the corruption-free image of Khattar, while the Congress highlighted the law and order problems during Khattar's tenure. However, Congress had to face a huge setback as its former chief Ashok Tanwar resigned ahead of polls. Adding to the embarrassment, a video of Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda, Ahmed Patel, and Ghulam Nabi Azad went viral in which they said the party would barely win 10-12 seats.
Updated 15:22 IST, October 24th 2019