The election results for Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir were announced today, October 8, 2024. In Haryana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a majority with 48 seats, marking a significant victory. In Jammu & Kashmir, the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance emerged as the dominant force, sweeping key constituencies while independents also made a notable impact.

The Haryana elections, held on October 5, witnessed a strong competition primarily between the BJP and Congress. Despite tough opposition from regional players like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), the BJP’s performance reaffirmed its popularity in the state. In contrast, the AAP failed to make any mark, with their senior vice president facing a considerable defeat.

In Jammu & Kashmir, this election held special significance as it was the first assembly poll since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The Congress-NC alliance dominated many constituencies, while several independent candidates also won in key regions. The election was held in three phases, concluding on October 1, 2024.

This election in Jammu & Kashmir marked a historic moment as it was the first since the revocation of Article 370. The move in 2019 had stripped the state of its special status and branched it into two Union Territories. The results reflect a shift in the political landscape of the region, with traditional parties like Congress and the NC regaining ground, while newer parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), struggled to maintain their influence.

In Haryana, BJP’s repeated victories can be seen as an endorsement of the state’s governance under the Modi-led central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attributed the success to his party’s development policies and welfare programs. The Congress, while improving its tally, faced challenges in capitalizing on anti-incumbency sentiments.

Reacting to the results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his party workers, saying, “This is a victory for development and good governance in Haryana.” BJP President JP Nadda also hailed the victory as a rejection of “divisive politics” by the people of Haryana. The election outcome reaffirms BJP’s position as a dominant force, especially in Haryana, where it has now secured power for a third consecutive term