Congress Refuses To Accept Haryana Results, Declares War Against Election Commission
The Congress ran a strong campaign in Haryana as the 10-year-old BJP faced significant incumbency issues, along with protests from farmers, wrestlers, and opposition to the Agniveer scheme.
Despite internal infighting, the Congress high command and its election campaign presented a united front, determined to regain power. The party’s star campaigner, Rahul Gandhi, along with other national leaders, made frequent visits to the state, drawing large crowds and conducting massive roadshows.
In a move that raised Congress’s hopes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP’s chief campaigner, stayed away from full-scale campaigning in Haryana, signalling that the BJP was on the back foot and facing potential defeat. Several BJP leaders also emerged as chief minister aspirants, indicating internal competition within the party.
When the elections concluded, exit polls predicted a return to power for Congress, signalling the end of BJP’s decade-long rule in Haryana.
As counting began, Congress initially led in two-thirds of the seats, prompting many experts on television to declare a likely Congress victory. However, as the counting progressed, the scenario shifted dramatically. Out of the 90 seats, the BJP began to cross the halfway mark, ensuring a return to power for Chief Minister Nayab Saini and the BJP.
According to Election Commission data, the BJP secured 41 seats and was leading in 7, leaving Congress trailing unexpectedly.
As results turned unfavourable, Congress alleged manipulation by the administration and declared it would not accept the outcome. Despite this, Congress pledged a people-friendly government in Jammu and Kashmir, where it had secured numbers to govern the union territory in alliance with the National Conference.
Congress’s protests intensified when its General Secretary in charge of Communications wrote to the Election Commission, stating: “As in the Lok Sabha elections, we are again witnessing delays in uploading up-to-date trends on the ECI website in Haryana. Is the BJP attempting to influence the administration by sharing outdated and misleading trends?”
The Election Commission responded by stating that the entire counting process in both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir had been conducted in the presence of candidates, observers, and micro-observers, in accordance with statutory requirements. The Commission added that there was no evidence to support the Congress’s allegations of delays in result updates.
Following this, the Congress held a press conference, accusing the Election Commission of manipulation, including tampering with EVMs, and claimed the results contradicted the ground reality, making it impossible for them to accept the outcome.
Jairam Ramesh then wrote another letter to the Election Commission, alleging that the body was adopting a hostile stance towards all the complaints raised by his party.
As the final rounds of counting neared, Congress escalated its accusations, declaring an all-out confrontation with the Election Commission and the administration.
