Lagatar24 Desk
NEW DELHI: The counting of votes for the assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir has begun, marking a pivotal moment for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. Both parties have much at stake following the Lok Sabha elections and the Congress’s recent resurgence. Here are the top 10 points about today’s developments:
- Exit Poll Predictions: While exit polls suggest a Congress victory in Haryana, a split verdict is projected in Jammu and Kashmir, where the National Conference-Congress alliance is expected to lead. However, exit polls have been wrong in the past.
- Assembly Seats: Both states have 90 seats, with a majority mark set at 46. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor’s power to nominate five members has sparked concerns about potential manipulation of the mandate.
- BJP’s Third-Term Hope in Haryana: The BJP is vying for a third consecutive term in Haryana amid reports of anti-incumbency and dissatisfaction from the Jat and farmer communities.
- Shifting Allegiances: Traditionally supported by non-Jat groups, the BJP is said to have lost part of its base. Additionally, the party contested the election solo after ending its alliance with Dushyant Chautala’s Jannayak Janata Party (JJP).
- BJP’s J&K Strategy: In Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP is banking on the peace and development achieved in the region over the last five years, alongside its promise to restore statehood.
- Election After a Decade in J&K: Jammu and Kashmir held its first election in a decade, following years of President’s Rule. The 2019 revocation of the state’s special status has further heightened the stakes in this election.
- Delimitation Impact: The delimitation process granted Jammu 43 seats compared to Kashmir’s 47, leveling the electoral playing field to some extent. However, the LG’s power to nominate MLAs has raised concerns.
- Controversy Over Nominations: Under new rules, the LG has the power to nominate five members to the assembly, potentially benefiting the BJP. This includes two women, two Kashmiri Pandits, and a displaced person from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- Opposition Response: Opposition parties, including the Congress and National Conference, have condemned the nomination powers. They allege this could be used to tip the balance in BJP’s favor, with the Congress spokesperson calling it an “assault on democracy.”
- Possible Supreme Court Intervention: The National Conference has threatened to take the issue to the Supreme Court, while PDP’s Iltija Mufti has accused the BJP of “pre-result rigging.”
With the results poised to shape the political landscape of both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, today’s counting will be closely watched by all parties involved.
