INLD-BSP Alliance Eyes Victory in Upcoming Haryana Assembly Elections

INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala expresses confidence in INLD-BSP alliance's chances for victory in Haryana assembly elections. Congress dismisses an alliance with AAP, asserting independence. Haryana to witness a four-way contest among BJP, Congress, JJP, and AAP as elections approach.

As Haryana gears up for its assembly polls, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala expressed confidence on Sunday in the INLD-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance's prospects, asserting that they will emerge victorious and form the state government. Chautala emphasized that this partnership would send a significant message nationwide.

Chautala stated, 'There is an alliance of INLD and BSP for the Haryana assembly elections. Both parties are advocates for laborers and farmers... This alliance will send a different message throughout the country, and we will form the government in Haryana... I may contest the elections from two constituencies. The party workers will decide from which seats I will contest.' Concurrently, on August 23, the Congress dispelled rumors of an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), maintaining that it is fully equipped to contest the elections independently.

Commenting on an alliance with AAP, Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda disclosed, 'We have an alliance with the Samajwadi Party at the central level, not at the state level. There is no alliance in Haryana. While we maintain alliances at the national level, there are no discussions at the state level. Congress is fully capable of contesting the elections alone.' Hooda predicted that the main contest in the upcoming elections would be between Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leaving no room for 'vote cutters.'

Hooda further remarked on the INLD-BSP alliance, noting, 'The Lok Sabha results clearly indicate that the competition is between Congress and BJP, with no space for vote cutters.' Haryana's 90 assembly constituencies are scheduled to go to polls in a single phase on October 1, with vote counting set for October 4.

Haryana has 20.1 million voters, including 10.6 million males, 9.5 million females, 452,000 first-time voters, and 4.095 million young voters. The deadline for filing nominations in Haryana is September 12, with scrutiny on September 13 and the final date for withdrawal of candidatures on September 16.

The current government's term will conclude on November 3, 2024. Haryana's 2019 elections saw the BJP secure 40 seats, forming a coalition government with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), which won 10 seats, while Congress bagged 31 seats. Earlier this year, the BJP-JJP alliance was dissolved, setting the stage for a four-way contest in 2024 among BJP, Congress, JJP, and AAP.

(With inputs from agencies.)