Srinargar/Jammu/Chandigarh, Oct 8: In a striking contrast, Jammu and Kashmir voters decisively rejected the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while Haryana voters embraced the party for the third consecutive term in the Assembly elections of the two states .
In Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP’s performance fell short despite the party’s gains in vote share and seat tally. While the BJP won 29 seats, its best-ever result in the region, the elections were largely dominated by the National Conference (NC), which secured 42 seats. Along with its allies in the INDIA bloc, the NC is poised to form the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.
The results reflect a clear rejection of the BJP’s policies in the region, with the NC improving its vote share from 20.77% to 23.43%, while the BJP’s slight increase in vote share, from 23% to 25.64%, did little to alter the political landscape.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), another key regional player, suffered significant losses, winning only three seats.
Political analysts attribute the BJP’s gains in Jammu to recent delimitation changes rather than a genuine increase in support, with the party’s president, Ravindra Raina, losing his seat. The overall result is seen as a clear repudiation of BJP policies in the region, especially in the Kashmir valley.
Meanwhile, in Haryana, the BJP defied expectations and secured a resounding victory, winning 48 seats and retaining power for a historic third term. Despite predictions of a Congress comeback, the BJP’s campaign focused on development, anti-corruption, and caste dynamics resonated with voters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attributed the win to the party’s emphasis on “vikas” (development) and accused the Congress of spreading falsehoods.
Haryana’s results demonstrate strong public backing for the BJP’s governance, solidifying its grip on power despite anti-incumbency sentiments. The Congress, though securing 37 seats, was unable to break the BJP’s hold in the state.
While Haryana reaffirmed the BJP’s dominance, Jammu and Kashmir’s elections were a setback for the party, as voters opted for a regional coalition over national politics. (PTI)
