Reasons for Congress’s Potential Win in Haryana

Congress’s Resurgence: BJP’s Failures in Haryana

The declining popularity of the BJP in Haryana can be attributed to several critical missteps during its two terms in power. According to the CVoter exit poll, Congress is poised to make a comeback in Haryana after a decade, potentially halting the BJP’s quest for a third consecutive term. Congress is projected to win 50-58 out of the 90 Assembly seats, while the BJP is expected to secure only 20-28 seats.

Here are five key reasons for the BJP’s declining popularity:

1. Anti-Incumbency Sentiment:
   The BJP government in Haryana faced severe anti-incumbency due to various unresolved issues. In March 2024, the party attempted to remove then-Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, but this move backfired and failed to address the underlying grievances.
2. High Unemployment Rates:
   One of the BJP’s most glaring failures during its tenure was unemployment. Haryana’s unemployment rate was 9% in 2021-22, more than double the national average of 4.1%. Despite promising 200,000 jobs in its manifesto, the BJP government failed to fill nearly 184,000 vacancies.
3. Urban Voter Dissatisfaction:
   Traditionally an urban-centric party, the BJP found its core voter base abandoning it. Of the two crore eligible voters, only one crore turned up to vote, indicating a significant drop in support.
4. E-Governance Reforms Gone Wrong:
   Manohar Lal Khattar’s push for e-governance reforms aimed at curbing corruption and streamlining services ended up alienating a large section of the population. Various online portals, including the Parivar Pahchan Patra (PPP), were rolled out, but residents struggled with access issues and poor internet connectivity.
5. Unfulfilled Promises:
   Several initiatives introduced by the BJP government remained largely on paper. For instance, in August 2024, the government announced plans to pay MSP on 24 crops and provide interest-free loans for Agniveers. However, these promises were made just before the elections and were never fully realized.

As exit polls suggest a Congress resurgence, the BJP’s series of missteps seems to have paved the way for a possible change in leadership in Haryana.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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