One hour on counting day and a major mood change in Congress, BJP offices

New Delhi:

With the BJP gaining a lead over the Congress in Haryana after trailing in the first rounds of polls, the mood in both the party offices has changed dramatically in the last hour. There are still several counting rounds left and the picture can change at any time. Election polls have predicted a victory for the Congress in Haryana. However, exit polls are often wrong.

As of 10:30 a.m., more than two and a half hours after counting began, the BJP is ahead with 47 out of 90 seats in the Haryana Assembly. The Congress, which had started its celebrations early, is now leading with 36 seats, nine fewer than the BJP.

Earlier in the day, the Congress had started bursting crackers and distributing jalebis at its headquarters in Delhi. As the tide turned in later rounds, the celebration shifted to the BJP headquarters. The media personnel were offered snacks and laddoos were brought out. The mood in the Congress office has darkened, although party supporters emphasize that they are hopeful of a victory.

However, Congress leaders are still putting on a brave face. Party veteran Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed confidence that the Congress will win in Haryana. The same was true for senior party leader Kumari Shelja.

If these numbers hold, it would be a hat-trick for the BJP in Haryana and its best-ever showing in the politically important state.

In the last assembly elections in Haryana in 2019, the BJP won 40 seats, the Congress 31 and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) 10. The BJP formed the government with the support of the JJP. This time, the JJP, which is no longer the BJP's ally, suffered a setback.