66% turnout in Haryana; Congress, BJP trade barbs

In the 2019 Assembly polls, Haryana had recorded 68.31 per cent polling, much lower than 76.54 per cent in 2014 when the BJP had ousted the Congress and formed the government with absolute majority. In the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year for 10 seats, the percentage was 64.8. A total of 1,031 candidates are in the fray. Counting will be taken up on October 8.

Speaking to reporters after the exit poll predictions, Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda claimed that Haryana has made up its mind “to oust the BJP”. “Congress is going to form the government with a thumping majority,” said Hooda, who is seeking re-election from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi in Rohtak district.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini too asserted the BJP will form the government for a third time with a big mandate. “Haryana was made free from ‘kshetravad’ (regional bias), ‘parivarvaad’, and discrimination against the state,” Saini said.

Hooda hit back. “They (BJP) will come to know once results are out. When people sought an account (of the works done) from them, they changed their chief minister. But people decided to change the government”.

Besides Hooda and Saini, the big names in the fray include BJP’s Anil Vij and O P Dhankar, Congress’s Vinesh Phogat, INLD’s Abhay Singh Chautala and JJP’s Dushyant Chautala.

A few incidents of violence were reported from Meham where Independent candidate Balraj Kundu accused former MLA Anand Singh Dangi of assaulting him and his assistant at a polling booth. Dangi is father of Congress candidate Balram Singh Dangi, who denied any such incident.

In Nuh , there was a clash between supporters of the Congress’ sitting MLA from Punhana and Independent candidate Rahish Khan, which left three injured.

Also police had to use force to disperse an agitated mob that entered into a scuffle at a polling booth in Hansi. Scuffle also broke out at village Khanda Kheri of Narnaund Assembly seat between supporters of BJP candidate Capt Abhimanyu and Congress’ candidate Jassi Petwar.

Former home minister and veteran BJP leader Anil Vij again staked claim to the CM’s post. “BJP will be forming the government in Haryana for the third time. If the party considers me, I will be meeting you all at the CM’s residence next time. I am the senior-most in my party,” he added.