Why BJP tally has halved in Haryana: Farmers’ ire, ‘support of chhattis biradari’

From winning all the 10 seats in 2019 down to five, the BJP’s Haryana setback in the Lok Sabha polls has shocked many. These numbers are crucial because they could have a bearing on the state’s Assembly polls scheduled for October.

The BJP has seen a dip in its vote share from 58% to 46%, while the Congress increased its vote share from 28% in 2019 to 43%. BJP sources said this turnaround made the state BJP unit go into a huddle and craft a campaign that could reach out to people who might feel a sense of fatigue with a government in power for two terms.

The BJP also seems concerned about a repeat of the 2019 Assembly poll scenario, when it did not get a full majority. It won 40 seats in the 90-member House and had to ally with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), which had seven MLAs, to cross the halfway mark. The Congress had 31 seats at the time.

The BJP now does not have the support of the JJP, which it dumped in March as it replaced Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini and carried out a Cabinet reshuffle. More dramatic developments followed last month as three Independent MLAs withdrew support of the Saini government and extended support to the Congress. Dushyant too followed suit.

At the moment, the Opposition is demanding a floor test to determine the majority of the Saini government. They have urged Governor Bandaru Dattatreya to dissolve the government and hold fresh elections.

With these factors in mind, and bolstered by the win, the Congress seems to be confident of the Assembly polls ahead.

A senior Congress leader told The Indian Express that the party was confident and had been able to get the support of Dalits and other communities in the parliamentary polls.

“This time, the Congress won both the