‘Big setback’: Why India’s Congress lost out to Modi in key state election

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BJP Scores Third Term in Haryana, Congress Suffers Setbacks

Haryana Election: Congress Blames Internal Differences for Loss

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a record third term in the northern state of Haryana, marking a dramatic turnaround after losing its majority in parliament earlier this year. However, the Congress party has faced setbacks in both Haryana and Indian-administered Kashmir, jeopardizing its bid to regain electoral prominence.

Exit polls had predicted a comfortable victory for the Congress in Haryana, but internal conflicts and the BJP’s strong local campaign contributed to its narrow loss. The Congress also faced criticism for its reliance on caste-based politics, which alienated voters from other communities.

The BJP, however, benefited from its robust local organization and the support of the dominant Jat community. Additionally, the Congress’s refusal to accept the results, citing alleged manipulation of electronic voting machines, has further damaged its reputation.

Congress Wins in Kashmir, But BJP Dominates Jammu

In Indian-administered Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) emerged as the largest party, winning 42 seats in the 90-member assembly. This is seen as a mandate against the BJP’s unilateral downgrading of the region’s autonomy and its ongoing crackdown on civil liberties.

The Congress won six seats in Kashmir, including one in Jammu, its lowest tally ever in the Hindu-dominated region. The BJP failed to win any seats in the Kashmir valley but maintained its hold in Jammu, securing its best-ever 29 seats and the highest vote share overall.

The results reflect the sharp divide between Hindu-majority Jammu and Muslim-majority Kashmir. While voters in Jammu favored the BJP, those in Kashmir strongly rejected it.

Implications for Congress and BJP

The assembly election results have implications for both the Congress and the BJP. For the Congress, the losses represent a setback to its efforts to regain its dominance in Indian politics. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in parliament, faces criticism for his inability to unite the party and mount a strong challenge to the BJP.

For the BJP, the victories in Haryana and Jammu strengthen its grip on power. The party is now poised to fight the upcoming elections in four states with greater confidence.

The results also highlight the importance of local politics and alliances. While the BJP demonstrated its strength at the ground level, the Congress struggled to maintain unity within its own ranks and with its regional allies.

References

This blog post is based on a news report from Al Jazeera.

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