Today marks a decisive moment for both Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana as vote counting begins, determining the political leadership in these regions. Polling for the assembly elections concluded with 63% voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir, where elections took place in three phases, and 65% in Haryana. Counting began at 8 am, with early trends already giving insights into the potential outcomes.
In Haryana, the Congress party is optimistic after exit polls suggested a strong showing. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has already met with the party’s High Command in Delhi, fueling discussions about leadership. Hooda is reportedly the frontrunner for the Chief Minister position, though Kumari Shelja’s name has also emerged in talks.
Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, the early trends indicate a lead for the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance, with the coalition securing 36 votes as of 8:40 am, while the BJP trails behind with 28 votes. The PDP and other smaller parties have garnered 4 and 11 votes, respectively. Although exit polls predicted a hung assembly in the region, the PDP has indicated it might support the Congress-NC alliance if a deadlock occurs.
This election is significant for Jammu and Kashmir, as it marks the first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the region’s bifurcation into union territories. With 90 constituencies up for grabs, these elections will determine the union territory’s first elected government in nearly a decade. As vote counting continues under tight security across 28 counting centers, all eyes remain on the final tally to see who will come out on top.
