Din of poll campaign falls silent in Haryana

BJP's Ashok Tanwar returns to Congress

- SWATI MAHAJAN

CHANDIGARH: As the sun set on Thursday evening, the vibrant campaign for the Haryana Assembly elections, scheduled for October 5, reached its dramatic conclusion. This pivotal election has attracted significant attention as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to overcome anti-incumbency sentiments to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress seeks to revive its fortunes after a decade-long absence from power in the state.

More than 20 million voters, including 8,821 centenarians, are poised to cast their votes in this crucial northern state bordering the national capital. Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal announced that polling for all 90 constituencies will take place from 7 am to 6 pm, with 20,629 polling booths set up across Haryana.

In a last-ditch effort to sway undecided voters, key political parties—BJP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Jananayak Janata Party (JJP)—Azad Samaj Party—held rallies and roadshows across the state in the hours leading up to the campaign's official close at 6 pm. Agarwal stated that no political party or candidate will be allowed to hold public meetings or rallies after this time.