The 2024 Assembly Election Results have unfolded with significant surprises and historic victories. While the BJP celebrated an unprecedented third consecutive term in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir saw a shift towards regional dominance as the National Conference-Congress alliance claimed a landslide victory. These results not only reshaped the political landscape in both regions but also raised questions about the future of opposition parties like the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from this dramatic election.

Top 10 Key Highlights:

1. BJP Breaks the Mold in Haryana: Defying exit polls and all expectations, the BJP clinched 48 out of 90 seats in Haryana, marking a historic hat-trick. The Congress trailed behind with 37 seats, making this the first time any party has won three consecutive terms in the state.

2. AAP's Missed Opportunity: Despite its resounding success in Delhi and Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) failed to open its account in Haryana. However, AAP did gain a foothold in Jammu and Kashmir, with candidate Mehraj Malik winning the Doda constituency by a margin of 4,538 votes.

3. Key Victors in Haryana: The Haryana elections saw prominent figures such as wrestler and Congress leader Vinesh Phogat win from the Julana seat, and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda retain his seat in Garhi Sampla-Kiloi. Independent candidate Savitri Jindal and BJP's Chief Minister Nayab Singh were also among the key winners.

4. National Conference Triumphs in J&K: Jammu and Kashmir, holding its first elections in a decade, witnessed a resounding victory for the National Conference-Congress alliance. The alliance secured 49 out of 90 seats, surpassing the halfway mark, while the BJP won 29 seats, all in Jammu.

5. Prime Minister's Remarks on Congress's Decline: Celebrating BJP’s success in Haryana in 2024 Assembly Elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited the party's long-term appeal to its governance, remarking, "Wherever BJP forms government, the people choose them for a long time. Congress has failed to retain its position." He also pointed out Congress's failure to secure a second term in any state since 2013.

6. Omar Abdullah Set to Become J&K Chief Minister: National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, who won the Budgam seat with an 18,000-vote lead, is set to become the next Chief Minister, as announced by his father and NC patron Farooq Abdullah. The National Conference posted a stellar performance across Kashmir Valley, including the Pir Panjal and Chenab regions.

7. Congress's Struggles Continue: The Congress, which had hoped to perform strongly in Haryana, fell short in both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. The party managed to win just five seats in J&K, all in the Kashmir Valley, and secured only the Rajouri seat in Jammu, where it was expected to challenge the BJP.

8. PDP’s Dismal Show: Mehbooba Mufti's People’s Democratic Party (PDP), predicted to play a key role in a split verdict, saw its influence shrink dramatically, winning just three seats despite expectations of securing at least eight.

9. Smaller Parties and Independent Candidates: Several smaller parties and Independent candidates, many of whom had BJP backing, claimed nine seats in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP leaders had hinted that these allies, along with the five MLAs nominated by the Governor, could help them form a government.

10. Highest Victory Margins: BJP candidate Devender Rana achieved the highest victory margin in J&K, winning Nagrota by 30,472 votes. Other notable winners included Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Congress and NC defector Surjit Singh Slathia. Omar Abdullah also claimed victory in Ganderbal, continuing his family's political stronghold.

Conclusion:

The 2024 Assembly Election Results have highlighted the shifting dynamics in Indian politics. The BJP’s dominance in Haryana reflects its continued appeal, while the National Conference-Congress alliance's success in Jammu and Kashmir signals the resurgence of regional forces. For the Congress and AAP, the results serve as a reminder of the uphill battles they face in regaining political ground. As these regions chart a new course, the electoral landscape of India continues to evolve, setting the stage for future political battles.