BJP strategy Haryana elections 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made history in the political arena on Tuesday when it became the first party to win for the third consecutive time in Haryana. The saffron party won 48 out of the 90 Assembly seats surpassing its previous high of securing 47 seats in 2014. That was the first time when they had won a majority. Despite an apparent anti-incumbency sentiment among voters, the BJP successfully increased both its vote share and the number of seats it won. They successfully retained power and foiled Congress’ efforts to regain a foothold in the Haryana Assembly Elections 2024. Initial forecasts pointed to a potential decline in number of votes for the BJP, with many exit polls also leaning towards the victory of Congress party.
Contrary to these expectations, the BJP managed to exceed predictions, suggesting that its governance and outreach strategies resonated effectively with voters. The party’s performance in the assembly elections undoubtedly marks its strongest showing ever in Haryana, with Congress managing 37 seats and the INLD capturing two seats. Additionally, three Independent candidates had also emerged victorious.
Here’s what worked out for BJP in the Haryana Assembly Elections 2024:
Haryana Assembly Elections: Key Pre-Election Move
BJP’s significant pre-election strategy involved appointing Nayab Singh Saini as the new Chief Minister, who took over from Manohar Lal Khattar just a few months before the polls were held. Saini’s leadership resonated well with the people of Haryana, especially among the non-Jat communities, which make up a large segment of Haryana’s voters. The BJP successfully appealed to new voters while also solidifying its support from already loyal constituencies by emphasising representation for OBC and upper-caste groups.
Candidate Selection
While Congress leaders like Bhupinder Hooda backed their own candidates, the BJP took a different route by selecting 60 new faces to address concerns about keeping power. The party replaced former Chief Minister Khattar, who was seen as arrogant, with the more approachable Nayab Singh Saini. On the other hand, Congress chose to re-nominate 17 candidates who had previously lost, including its state president, Udai Bhan. The BJP also criticized Congress, suggesting they would bring Hooda back as Chief Minister. This strategy might have turned off non-Jat voters, as it reinforced the belief that jobs and opportunities would be focused in Hooda’s home area of Rohtak.
Divided Opposition
In the Assembly Elections, Congress and AAP did not join forces as they did in the Lok Sabha elections. The competition was further complicated by the Indian National Lok Dal, which partnered with the Bahujan Samaj Party, and the JJP, which allied with the Azad Samaj Party. Many independent candidates also participated, leading to a split in the anti-BJP vote and contributing to Congress’s losses in several areas.
Strengthened by Victory: BJP’s momentum grows in Haryana and beyond
The BJP‘s victory strengthens its position in Haryana and shows growing support for the party both in the state and nationwide. Recent Lok Sabha and state election results indicate that the BJP has effectively used its national message and policies to impact local elections. This continuity certainly boost the party’s confidence and give them momentum as they prepare for upcoming elections in other states.
These election results revealed that the BJP could defeat Congress in head-to-head contests, even though it faced strong opposition in many areas. While Congress aimed to take advantage of anti-incumbency feelings and divisions within the BJP, the outcome showed that many voters remained loyal to the ruling party. These results also highlight the challenges Congress faces in trying to regain influence in Haryana, where it previously held power before the BJP’s rise.
Key candidates who won Haryana Assembly Elections
Notable winners in the Haryana elections included wrestler and Congress leader Vinesh Phogat, who won from the Julana seat; former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, victorious in the Garhi Sampla-Kiloi seat; Independent candidate Savitri Jindal; and current Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh.
BJP’s performance in previous elections
In 2019, the party secured 40 seats, forming a government with the support of the JJP and some Independents. The BJP’s momentum in 2014 was bolstered by a strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections, where it won seven of eight contested seats. Prior to this year’s election, the BJP’s best performance in Haryana was in 1987, when it won 16 of the 20 seats it contested. The INLD, led by Devi Lal, dominated that election. The BJP faced setbacks in 1991 and 1996, winning only two and 11 seats, respectively.
In the 2014 assembly elections, the BJP did not announce a chief ministerial candidate, opting instead for a collective leadership approach. Before those elections, the Haryana Janhit Congress, previously an ally, separated from the BJP under Kuldeep Bishnoi’s leadership. To enhance its electoral strategy, the BJP organized four Vijay Sankalp Yatras to cover all 90 assembly segments. Bishnoi later switched from Congress to the BJP in 2022.
Haryana’s assembly elections were held on October 5 in a single phase. Following the victory on October 8th, Haryana Chief Minister Saini expressed gratitude to voters, stating they have affirmed their support for the government’s policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.