The Election Commission extended the date of Haryana assembly elections from October 1 to October 5. The counting of votes for Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly elections will now take place on October 8 instead of October 4. The commission said that this decision was taken keeping in mind the centuries-old festival of the Bishnoi community. Political parties have given mixed reactions to this. Congress MP Kumari Shailaja said that what can we comment on the Election Commission. This shows the weakness of the BJP. She said, ‘What will those who could not win the long race of 10 years do in 5 days? Congress soldiers are standing firm on the ground. We have our eyes on all 90 seats. We will try to win every seat.’
Kumari Selja said, ‘BJP was already trying. BJP is nervous. This decision is a sign of BJP’s nervousness. When you lose public support, then whatever you do does not matter.’ Congress leader Deepak Babaria said that this entire episode reflects the immaturity of the BJP government, its Chief Minister and its state president. They have put the people of the entire state on an uncertain time table. He said, ‘After all, the date of nomination is the same. According to me, BJP rigs every election. Maybe they (BJP) will not have enough time to rig, so the date has been extended.’
What did Dushyant Chautala say on this?
Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala reacted to the Election Commission’s decision to extend the date of Haryana Assembly elections from October 1 to October 5. He said, ‘We welcome the decision of the Election Commission. This clearly shows that the BJP is adopting such tactics to avoid its defeat, but what will happen with this. The public has made up its mind to uproot the BJP from the state.’ INLD leader and MLA Abhay Singh Chautala said that I thank the Election Commission because it was a long holiday. He said, ‘Many people could have gone out during this time, due to which 10 to 20 percent of voters could have been deprived of voting.’
Reaction of Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, ‘Our state president Mohan Lal Baroli wrote a letter and apprised the Election Commission of the problem that there are continuous holidays. Somewhere in it, the BJP state president expressed concern that this may reduce the vote percentage. Along with this, other parties also expressed concern on this matter. Bishnoi community also expressed concern. I want to thank the Election Commission that they understood this thing. If there is more voting, then the state and the country will also benefit from it. I welcome the decision of the Election Commission that they have taken this decision understanding the sentiments of the common people.’
‘Turning out could have been 4-5 percent less’
BJP leader Leela Ram said, ‘I thank the Election Commission for the decision it has taken. Leaders of all parties have made this demand and this demand was also sent to them by the voters of Haryana state. When 5 holidays come, the voters decide to go on a trip. In such a situation, the vote percentage could have decreased by 4-5 percent. Voting would have been very low in Hisar and Sirsa districts, so the Election Commission deserves congratulations.’
‘BJP is badly scared’
AAP Haryana President Sushil Gupta said on the decision of the Election Commission, ‘BJP is badly scared. The people of Haryana have made up their mind to overthrow this arrogant, corrupt government. The people will fight the Haryana elections. The people have decided that JJP and BJP have no place in power in Haryana. Aam Aadmi Party had welcomed the election dates earlier and is still doing so. We are ready to fight strongly on all 90 assembly seats.’ Jammu and Kashmir National Conference candidate Arjun Singh said, ‘Democracy demands that the sentiments of the people of every society are respected. This will not make a big difference. We have no objection to this decision, rather we welcome the decision that the date has been extended keeping in mind the sentiments of the people of a society.’
(With agency input)
