The Congress is analysing the Haryana election results and will inform the Election Commission about the complaints it had received over the counting process, said Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi this morning, in his first remarks since his party’s shocking defeat in the state elections.
"We are analysing the unexpected results of Haryana. We will inform the Election Commission about the complaints coming from many assembly constituencies," the Congress leader said in an online post.
जम्मू-कश्मीर के लोगों का तहे दिल से शुक्रिया – प्रदेश में INDIA की जीत संविधान की जीत है, लोकतांत्रिक स्वाभिमान की जीत है।
हम हरियाणा के अप्रत्याशित नतीजे का विश्लेषण कर रहे हैं। अनेक विधानसभा क्षेत्रों से आ रही शिकायतों से चुनाव आयोग को अवगत कराएंगे।
सभी हरियाणा वासियों को…— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 9, 2024
Thanking Haryana's voters and party workers, Mr Gandhi said Congress would continue fighting for people's rights and social and economic justice.
The Congress leader called the results in Jammu and Kashmir, where his party bagged a comprehensive victory in an alliance with the National Conference, a "victory of democratic self-respect".
Read | “Arrogant, Overconfident”: Congress Allies On Warpath After Haryana Loss
Mr Gandhi's remarks came a day after the Congress – projected to get a clear majority in Haryana in the exit polls – fell flat on its expectations. Early celebrations turned to introspection at the Congress office yesterday as the BJP undid its rival's gains and bagged its third straight victory in the state.
The Congress ended up with 37 seats in Haryana, nine seats short of the halfway mark of 46. The BJP bagged 48 while the INLD won two seats.
Mr Gandhi's party raised serious doubts over the counting process yesterday and said it would not accept the results. A senior leader said the results went against the ground reality and that the party has received "very serious complaints" on the process of counting and functioning of voting machines in at least three districts.
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The claim was made after the Election Commission rejected a Congress memorandum alleging a slowdown in the updation of the counting figures in Haryana.
The allegations drew several jibes from the winning camp with Prime Minister Narendra Modi telling BJP workers at a victory celebration that the Congress wants to tarnish every institution in the country.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress-NC combine won 49 seats while the BJP finished second with 29 seats. Of the 49 seats, six were from the Congress camp while the NC got 42.
Read | “Parasite Party”: PM Modi Targets Congress Over Haryana Counting Charge
Mr Gandhi said the results marked a "victory of the Constitution". "My heartfelt thanks to the people of Jammu and Kashmir – India's victory in the state is a victory of the Constitution, a victory of democratic self-respect," said Mr Gandhi.
His party's dismal show has already raised questions over the Congress's leadership of opposition parties. Congress allies are now turning the heat ahead of the upcoming elections – which may impact the seat-sharing and Congress election strategy.
Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction tore into the Congress for not tying up with opposition parties like the AAP in Haryana – a criticism that would feature in its seat-sharing talks in the upcoming Maharashtra elections.
