New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is celebrating after securing a third consecutive term in Haryana, despite predictions of a setback due to factors such as alleged farmer dissatisfaction and the wrestlers' protests. Exit polls had also forecasted a poor showing for the BJP and a victory for the Congress.

An analysis of the results reveals that, despite facing anti-incumbency, the BJP maintained its dominance in urban centers like Gurugram and Faridabad. While Congress made gains in rural areas, the BJP's urban support base remained steadfast, helping the party retain its vote share across both urban and rural constituencies. Except for Panchkula, which Congress won, the BJP claimed decisive victories in urban constituencies such as Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh, Sonipat, Karnal, and Badshahpur.

In Panchkula, Congress candidate Chander Mohan narrowly won by a margin of 1,997 votes. In Gurgaon and Faridabad, BJP’s Mukesh Sharma and Vipul Goel won by significant margins of 68,045 and 48,388 votes, respectively.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had campaigned with a focus on farmers, laborers, and the poor, stated in Haryana last month, "In Haryana, we don’t need such a government, but one of farmers, laborers, and the poor." However, his socialist messaging seemed to miss the mark with the business community and urban voters.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress performed poorly, winning only 6 of the 32 seats it contested.

Its stronger ally, the National Conference (NC), led by Farooq Abdullah, won 51 of the 51 seats it contested as part of a pre-poll alliance with Congress under the INDIA bloc, securing victory in 41 seats.

In the Jammu region, where Congress contested 29 seats, it managed to secure just one. Congress candidate Iftkhar Ahmed defeated BJP's Vibodh Gupta by a margin of 1,404 votes in Rajouri.

Apart from the Congress and Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), part of INDIA alliance, other constiuents--CPM won one seat while JKNPP could not open its account in this election.

The results, however, aligned with expert predictions that the Congress-NC alliance would prevent vote-splitting and limit the BJP’s influence in the region.

Despite its overall weak performance, Congress won five seats in Kashmir, including victories by former minister Peerzada Mohammad Syed, who defeated Mehboob Beg of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) by 1,686 votes, and former MLA Nizamuddin Bhat, who claimed the Bandipora seat.

Independent candidates claimed seven seats, while the PDP secured four. Among the notable losses was PDP’s Iltija Mufti, daughter of party president Mehbooba Mufti.

The day belonged to NC leader Omar Abdullah, who bounced back after losing his parliamentary bid earlier this year, winning both Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies.

Abdullah, who served as Chief Minister from 2009 to 2014, remarked, "The efforts to finish our party have failed. But those who wanted to wipe us out have been defeated. Our responsibilities have increased."

He now stands ready for a potential second term as Chief Minister.

Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Haryana for placing faith in his Bhartiya Janta Party and party workers for their hard work.

“You have not only served the people of the state to the fullest, but have also taken our agenda of development to them. This is the result of which BJP has got this historic victory in Haryana,” he wrote in a post on X, thanking the Haryana BJP workers.

“I salute the people of Haryana for giving a clear majority to the Bharatiya Janata Party once again. This is the victory of the politics of development and good governance. I assure the people here that we will leave no stone unturned to fulfill their aspirations,” he wrote, addressing the voters of the state.

Modi congratulated Farooq Abdullah's JKNC for sweeping the election. He added that he is proud of the BJP's performance in Jammu Kashmir and thanked people who voted for his party. Underscoring the significance of the Jammu Kashmir elections, he noted "These elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been very special. They were held for the first time after the removal of Articles 370 and 35(A) and witnessed a high turnout, thus showing the people’s belief in democracy. I compliment each and every person of Jammu and Kashmir for this."

Thanking PM Modi for the message, Omar Abdullah said his government anticipates a "constructive relationship in the true spirit of federalism" with the Centre.

Reacting to the poll results in Haryana, Congress said it disapproves of the outcome, alleging serious irregularities in vote counting.

“As far as Haryana is concerned, I have been in connection with the Election Commission. We have received very serious complaints on the process of counting, the functioning of EVMs in at least 3 districts, and more coming in. The consolidated complaints will be submitted to the Election Commission very soon,” Congress spokesperson and senior leader Jairam Ramesh said in a press conference.

He said the results were ‘surprising’, ‘against the ground reality’ when the state was hoping a change at the helm and the BJP’s win a ‘victory of manipulation’.

“We reiterate that the results in Haryana are totally unexpected, completely surprising, and counterintuitive. It goes against ground reality—what the people of Haryana had made up for, which was for change and transformation. What we have seen in Haryana today is a victory of manipulation and subverting the will of the people; it's defeat for transparent democratic processes. The chapter on Haryana is not complete; it will continue,” the party said in a post on X.

He added that the Congress will take part in the formation of the Jammu Kashmir government with ally National Conference.

BJP national president JP Nadda said the party’s consecutive in Haryana reflects “people's unwavering faith in the welfare policies implemented by the double-engine government led by the illustrious PM Narendra Modi.”

The success is proof that people of Haryana have completely rejected Congress’s ‘divisive’ and ‘appeasement’ politics.

Referring to Haryana as ‘Veerbhoomi’ or the ‘Land of the Brave’, Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah said the people voted against Congress which divides people on the basis of caste and region, and have chosen the 10 years track record of development and poor welfare of BJP.

Shah added that Haryana has taught a lesson to those who go abroad and insult the country for their vote bank.

On Jammu Kashmir results, he said BJP secured the highest vote share in this election and thanked the party workers for their hard work.

He iterated that BJP is committed to the development and security of Jammu and Kashmir. “Making Jammu and Kashmir terror-free and developing it like other parts of the country is the top priority of BJP,” he emphasised.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the Haryana election results is dedicated to the dream of achieving 'Developed Haryana - Developed India'.

He said people had shown faith in the ‘public welfare policies’ of PM Modi and the able leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Saini.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal congratulated party candidate Mehraj Malik for winning the Doda seat in Jammu Kashmir.

"Congratulations to the entire Aam Aadmi Party on becoming MLA in the fifth state," he wrote on X.