Haryana's political climate is heating up as the state gears up for the 2024 Assembly elections, scheduled for October 5. This year's elections come with significant stakes, as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeks to secure its third consecutive term versus the Indian National Congress party, which is hoping to reclaim power after being out of the game for the past decade.
Polling kicked off this morning, from 7 AM to 6 PM, across all 90 Assembly seats, with over two crore eligible voters making their way to the polls. Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal announced earlier this week consecutive efforts to bolster voter turnout and transparency, including the usage of 27,866 electronic voting machines across 20,632 polling booths.
Security is tight with nearly 30,000 police personnel deployed alongside various paramilitary forces. There are also special provisions for vulnerable polling stations, with more than 3,616 classified as sensitive and 145 as vulnerable. This ensures adequate presence at each voting site to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents.
At the forefront of the elections is Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who is contesting from Ladwa. His fate, along with 1,030 other candidates, rests with the electorate today. High-profile candidates such as Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, JJP's Dushyant Chautala, and former wrestler turned politician Vinesh Phogat are among those making these elections especially intriguing.
Political rallying has been spirited, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing these elections as a “festival of democracy.” His call for maximum participation is echoed by other prominent leaders, including Congress's Rahul Gandhi and JJP's Dushyant Chautala, who are urging citizens to exercise their voting rights.
Interestingly, the key issues being debated revolve around recent social movements and concerns, such as the farm protests. Issues like the Agnipath scheme, aimed at recruiting soldiers on short-term contracts, and wrestlers' protests over government neglect of the sport, have also captured public attention and will likely influence voter sentiment.
The last Assembly election held back in 2019 saw the BJP winning 40 out of 90 seats, with the Congress following close behind at 31. The Jannayak Janta Party, partnering with the BJP post-elections, secured 10 seats. Amid this backdrop of party rivalry, independent candidates are also making their presence felt, with some even declaring zero assets, highlighting the wide gap between the candidates’ financial standings.
What’s notable this time is the inclusion of some familiar political legacies, with many candidates belonging to political families—often referred to as 'dynasts.' Names like Aditya Devi Lal, making his entry from the INLD, and Bhavya Bishnoi, grandson of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, suggest family connections remain strong influences in Haryana's political arena. This dynastic hold is often criticized, with opposition parties leveraging it to connect with the electorate, who may be growing weary of familial politics.
One contender making headlines is Captain Abhimanyu of the BJP, who holds the title of the richest candidate this election with assets amounting to Rs 491 crore. This highlights the wealth disparity among candidates as well, as contrasted with others declaring negligible assets.
The elections, which feature 101 female candidates indicating slight progress toward gender representation, have seen calls from various leaders stressing the need to address pressing issues like unemployment and infrastructure development, particularly for cities bordering Delhi. A significant part of campaigning has revolved around promises of providing jobs and improving facilities across the state, a factor many expect will weigh heavily during vote counting.
What remains to be seen is how voters respond after the polls close on October 5, eagerly awaiting the results which will decide not only the fate of local representatives but also set the tone for the state’s political future.
The counting of votes is slated for October 8, and as results roll out, the spotlight will undoubtedly shine on the performances of established parties versus the emergent narratives of new political alliances and independent candidates hoping to shake up the status quo.
The dynamics of this assembly election are poised at a crossroads with changing demographics, economic anxieties, and historical legacies coming to bear on the decisions made by the people of Haryana. Clearly, this isn't just another election—it's a clash of ideologies, aspirations, and deep-rooted traditions shaping the future of the state.
