Haryana Assembly Elections 2024 Highlights: Polling ends, counting of votes on October 8

Dronacharya awardee and BJP leader Mahavir Singh Phogat, who is the uncle of Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat and father of BJP leader Babita Phogat, stated, “In the last 10 years, poor people have been given houses, farmers have been given compensation, and the last 10 years of BJP government have been good for the state… After her Olympic stint, I had said the whole family would convince her to prepare for the 2028 Olympics, she went ahead and announced she would compete till the 2032 Olympics. I was to go receive her at the airport when she returned, but she made a social media post because of which I did not feel like going anymore. Deepender Hooda took my place there. That is when politics began… Her decision to enter politics is completely her own, we have nothing to do with it… I did my part in her journey, rest is up to her…”

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Babita Phogat addressed her cousin sister Vinesh Phogat, who is contesting the 2024 Haryana elections as a Congress candidate. Babita is not running this time, while Vinesh is competing for the Julana Assembly seat.

“For the welfare and development of the state, I would urge everyone to come out and vote in large numbers. This is your biggest responsibility as a citizen of this country… It is everyone’s personal decision which party they want to be affiliated with. It’s her choice and I respect her (Vinesh Phogat’s) decision…” Babita said while speaking to ANI.

Vinesh, a prominent figure in last year’s protests against BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, joined the Congress party on Sept. 6. She will face BJP candidate Captain Yogesh Bairagi in Julana, with votes set to be counted on Oct. 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP won 40 seats, while Congress secured 30. On Saturday, Babita cast her vote at a polling station in Charkhi Dadri for the ongoing elections.

Haryana Jan Sevak Party nominee Balraj Kundu, contesting from the Meham assembly constituency, alleged on Saturday that former Congress MLA Anand Singh Dangi assaulted him and his personal assistant at a polling booth in Rohtak district.

In a video message, Kundu reported that the incident occurred while he was visiting polling booth number 134 in the constituency.

He claimed that Dangi not only ripped his clothes but also had him “manhandled.” “My PA was beaten up,” Kundu added, condemning the violence at the polling station.

Describing the ongoing election as “very important,” Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi urged voters to support Congress for the prosperity of farmers, job opportunities for youth, safety and respect for women, and the well-being of every family.

“Every vote you give to Congress will protect the Constitution and will become your weapon against the atrocities of the BJP,” he said in a post on X.

“We have to form a government of all communities in Haryana, a government with everyone’s participation, a government of justice – a Congress government. Now #haathbadlegahalaat,” he said.

Former Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday urged the people of Haryana to exercise their franchise for a “better future” of the state.

“I appeal to all the brothers, sisters, elders and youth of Haryana. Do cast your vote today. Your every vote will be for the bright future of your family, for the creation of a better Haryana,” Kejriwal wrote in a post on X.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi also urged the voters of Haryana to vote keeping key issues in mind including electricity, healthcare and better schools. “Today is the great festival of democracy in Haryana. I appeal to all the voters of Haryana, this time please vote for 24×7 electricity, for world class government schools, for good treatment and for a better Haryana.”

Official voting figures released by the state government (till 9 am) for the Haryana Assembly polls:

– Panchkula – 5.3%

– Ambala – 8.7%

– Yamunanagar – 10.9%

– Kurukshetra – 9.6%

– Kaithal – 10%

– Karnal – 6.2%

– Panipat – 8.5%

– Sonipat – 6.5%

– Jind – 10.2%

– Fatehabad – 8.9%

– Sirsa – 6.7%

– Hisar – 8.9%

– Bhiwani – 8.4%

– Charkhi Dadri – 8.8%

– Rohtak – 3%

– Jhajjar – 6%

– Mahendragarh – 9.3%

– Rewari – 5.3%

– Gurugram – 6.1%

– Mewat – 7.7%

– Palwal – 4%

– Faridabad – 4.6%

Wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat showed her inked finger after casting her vote.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday called on the people of Haryana to vote in large numbers to defeat injustice and bring about a new beginning for the state.

In a post on X, she stated, “My dear sisters and brothers of Haryana, my Ram Ram to all of you. Today is an auspicious day for voting. Farmers, employees, youth, wrestlers, mothers-sisters, traders, deprived sections – all have suffered the atrocities of 10 years of misrule. In this misrule, you have been made to cry tears of blood by snatching away your jobs, income, pension, and ration. Every single blow of the lathis on the bodies of the people of Haryana is a witness to 10 years of tyrannical rule.”

“This is the time to use your democratic right to give a blow to the power of injustice and oppression. Vote in large numbers and defeat injustice and usher in a new dawn for Haryana,” she added in her post.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar took a dig at the Congress, saying, “… When their offers and freebies turned into votes, they backed off and people can see that.” 

“In Himachal Pradesh, they (Congress) have started charging electricity fares which they had earlier exempted… They kept talking about OPS and NPS but never implemented OPS anywhere. We have now moved on from NPS and introduced the UPS… We make promises and implement policies after taking due account of our budget… They must mislead voters… Congress has only worked to create a divide between castes.” Khattar said.

“The people of Haryana will now decide whom they want to elect…” said Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) national president Ajay Singh Chautala as he arrived to cast his vote in Sirsa.

Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda on Friday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to immediately transfer the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bhiwani district, alleging a breach of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Hooda accused the Bhiwani SP of bias against the Congress and of openly supporting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate JP Dalal, claiming these actions were intended to influence the election outcome.

“Election Commission of India is urged upon to immediately transfer Superintendent of Police, Bhiwani out of the District for being biased against congress party in open support of BJP Candidate J P Dalal violating MCC so as to influence the outcome of elections,” Hooda posted on X.

In a post on X, Chief Minister Dhami said, “First vote, then refreshment! An appeal to all the respected voters of Haryana is to use their democratic right in the assembly elections. This is your opportunity to once again choose a capable and development-oriented government with your vote. Your one vote lays the foundation for Haryana’s bright future. Vote for the creation of a prosperous and strong Haryana…make sure to use your right wisely.

Taking to his official handle on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “The people of Veer Bhoomi Haryana are going to vote in the state today. ”

Shah called on all “sisters and brothers” to vote to sustain the pace of development and elect a government that reaches every village in Haryana.

“Only a government with a track record of development and good governance, and not one making false promises, can bring welfare to Haryana,” he added.

Congress leader Kumari Selja arrived at the polling booth in Hisar to exercise her vote.

As he arrived to cast his vote at a polling booth in Sirsa, former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala appealed to the electorate to participate in the elections in large numbers. “This is the biggest festival of democracy, and you will decide your future for the next five years,” he said. Chautala noted that the elections would feature a triangular contest, predicting that regional parties would emerge as significant forces in Haryana’s political landscape.

After casting his vote in Faridabad, Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar expressed confidence in the BJP‘s future in Haryana, stating, “BJP government is going to be formed in Haryana for the third time. BJP has given transparent and honest governance. People of Haryana have seen a government that gives development and good governance for the first time..,”

He contrasted the current administration with the past, noting, “Earlier in Haryana, ministers used to go to jail every day. People of Haryana have faith in Modi as well as BJP.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the people of Haryana on Saturday to participate in the assembly polls by casting their votes in record numbers.

“I appeal to all voters to be a part of this sacred festival of democracy and create a new voting record,” PM Modi stated in a post on X, extending his wishes to young voters exercising their franchise for the first time.

Former Haryana Deputy CM and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala arrives at polling booth in Sirsa to cast his vote.

Haryana Chief Minister and BJP leader Nayab Saini expressed strong confidence in his party’s victory in the 2024 state elections, predicting a historic win for the BJP. After casting his vote in Mirzapur, Saini said, “We are winning and forming the government for the third time with a big margin.”

He slammed Congress, accusing the party of spreading falsehoods during the Lok Sabha polls. “People have rejected Congress’s ‘politics of lies,’ They lied during Lok Sabha polls that Constitution is in danger and reservation will end. Rahul Gandhi is the biggest face of ending reservation,” Saini added, taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi for his statements abroad.

After casting her vote in Balali, Charkhi, Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat from the Julana Assembly constituency called on the people of Haryana to exercise their voting power in the 2024 state elections. “Every vote is valuable, and today is the day to use that power,” Phogat said, highlighting key issues like drug addiction, unemployment, and women’s safety.

She further stressed the need for change and urged residents to step out and vote, expressing hopes for a brighter future and pledging to address these concerns over the next five years.

Aditya Devilal, INLD’s candidate from the Dabali constituency, emphasized the significance of the INLD-BSP alliance in the Haryana elections, stating that it marks a turning point as his family unites for the cause. Devilal said, Historically, whenever farmers and workers have formed an alliance, it has given rise to a huge revolution.”

He also criticised the dominance of national parties, claiming they have neglected regional issues for the past 20 years. According to Devilal, a strong undercurrent is brewing, and the election results are expected to be “shocking.”

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, BJP‘s candidate from the Ladwa assembly seat, offered prayers at a Gurudwara in Ambala before casting his vote in the state elections. Saini, seeking re-election, is facing a pivotal contest as voters across Haryana head to the polls today.

Haryana CM and BJP‘s candidate from Ladwa assembly seat, Nayab Singh Saini said, “I want to appeal to the people of Haryana to cast 100% votes…The mood of the people of Haryana is clear. BJP is going to form its government for the third time with a huge margin on 8th October…”

According to Haryana’s Chief Election Officer Pankaj Agarwal, a total of 29,462 police personnel, 21,196 home guards, and 10,403 Special Police Officers (SPO) have been deployed across the state. Strict surveillance will be maintained at every corner of the state to allow citizens to cast their votes without fear.

Besides the BJP and the Congress, the key contesting parties are the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the INLD-BSP and JJP-Azad Samaj Party alliances. In the last Assembly polls in 2019, the BJP had won 40 seats, the Congress 31 and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) 10.

The 2024 poll results will be declared on October 8.

Olympic medalist & Indian shooter Manu Bhaker arrives at a polling station in Jhajjar to cast her vote.

Union Minister and ex-CM of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar exudes confidence as he claims that BJP will get a third term by winning over 50 seats in the ongoing polls.

A total of 1,031 candidates are competing in this election, including 101 women and 464 independents. A total of 20,632 polling booths are set up for the election.

Over 20 million voters are prepared to cast their ballots and shape the state’s political future today. In this single-phase poll, the electorate will select 90 members for the state assembly, with the fate of key political heavyweights hanging in the balance. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, wrestling icon Vinesh Phogat, and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala are among the 1,027 candidates vying for a seat in what promises to be a fiercely contested race.

Voting has started across the state of Haryana. Video of Union Minister and former CM of the state Manohar Lal Khattar surfaces. He can be seen casting his vote at a polling station in Karnal.