Congress and AAP Release Candidates Lists for Haryana Assembly Elections Amid Party Shifts

Congress has released its fifth list of candidates for Haryana Assembly elections, declaring names for 88 out of 90 seats. AAP announced its sixth list, covering all 90 seats. Seat-sharing discussions between the parties fell through, with Congress supporting alliance partners for two remaining seats.

The Congress on Thursday unveiled its fifth list of candidates for the forthcoming Haryana Assembly elections, naming Naresh Selwal for Uklana and Jasbir Singh (Jessi Petwar) for Narnaund. This announcement brings the total number of Congress candidates to 88 out of 90 seats, with the party supporting its alliance partners in the remaining two constituencies.

On Wednesday night, the Congress disclosed five more candidates: Parimal Pari from Ambala Cantt, Sachin Kundu from Panipat Rural, Satbir Dublain from Narwana (SC), Sarva Mitra Kamboj from Rania, and Rohit Nagar from Tigaon. Earlier that day, a third list of 40 Congress nominees was revealed, including notable figures such as Chander Mohan from Panchkula and Nirmal Singh from Ambala.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party released its sixth and final list of 19 candidates for the Haryana elections, making them the only party to field candidates for all 90 seats. Despite talks of a seat-sharing agreement between AAP and Congress, the two INDIA bloc allies couldn't strike a deal. The deadline for filing nominations is September 12, with the polls scheduled for October 5 and results announced on October 8.

Additionally, Vinesh Phogat, a former wrestler and Congress candidate for the Julana seat, filed her nomination on Thursday with the support of Congress MP Deepender Hooda and local party leaders. Phogat expressed her gratitude to her constituents and pledged the party's commitment to their welfare.

In 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single-largest party, securing 40 seats, closely followed by Congress with 30. The BJP formed a coalition government with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), although this alliance dissolved earlier this year. BJP has governed Haryana for the past decade, with Manohar Lal Khattar resigning as Chief Minister in June, succeeded by Nayab Singh Saini. Khattar now serves as Union Minister of Urban and Housing Affairs.

(With inputs from agencies.)