The Haryana assembly elections have concluded, featuring several key parties: the BJP, Congress, the INLD-BSP alliance, the JJP-Azad Samaj Party alliance, and the Aam Aadmi Party. Prominent candidates included Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, BJP leaders Anil Vij and OP Dhankar, Congress figures Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Vinesh Phogat, INLD’s Abhay Singh Chautala, and JJP’s Dushyant Chautala.

A total of 1,031 candidates contested, among them 101 women and 464 independents. Voting wrapped up at 6 PM, with vote counting set for October 8.

The BJP is facing strong opposition as it aims for a third consecutive term, while Congress seeks to reclaim power after a decade. Polling took place across 90 constituencies from 7 AM to 6 PM, with over 2 crore voters expected, including 8,821 centenarians, at 20,632 polling stations.

Congress is banking on its strong performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, with a manifesto promising seven key guarantees, such as a legal commitment to minimum support prices (MSPs), a caste survey, and a monthly allowance of ₹2,000 for women.

Rahul Gandhi led the Congress campaign, highlighting critical issues like the Agniveer scheme, farmers’ protests, and the wrestlers’ agitation against the BJP.

In 2014, benefiting from the Modi wave, the BJP won 47 seats and formed its first government in Haryana, led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.