Ripple effect of BJP's win in Haryana

COMING POLLS | Win will bolster BJP's image in Maha, Jharkhand

- KS Tomar

The BJP has secured a resounding third consecutive win in Haryana, underscoring its adeptness at leveraging a blend of caste-based strategies, effective leadership, a fractured opposition, and a well-oiled election machinery. Despite grappling with two-time anti-incumbency, the party maintained its dominance by appealing to diverse voter bases and capitalising on local and national issues that resonated with the electorate.

The Congress, on the other hand, faced significant setbacks owing to a variety of factors. Complacency, an over-reliance on Jat leaders, sidelining of Dalit leader Kumari Selja, and a lack of a compelling campaign agenda all contributed to its defeat. Further, the decision of the AAP to contest all seats, coupled with the failure to exploit issues such as unemployment and price rice, rendered the Congress campaign ineffective.

The BJP's strategic strengths, in consolidating non-Jat votes, coupled with the Congress's internal weaknesses, led to the latter's defeat. BJP's triumph not only reinforces its influence in the North but sets the stage for potential challenges in the forthcoming elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.