Owaisi Criticizes Congress for Missed Opportunity in Haryana

AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi blames Congress's internal conflicts for BJP's success in Haryana, criticizing them for failing to harness anti-incumbency. He dismisses Congress's EVM allegations, emphasizing missed chances in defeating the ruling party. Election Commission refutes Congress's claims about vote-counting delays.

Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of AIMIM, launched a scathing critique against the Congress party on Wednesday, accusing it of squandering the chance to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiments in Haryana. He attributed the Bharatiya Janata Party's electoral triumph to internal rifts within Congress, enabling the BJP to capitalize on the situation. Owaisi said, 'The Congress party should have taken advantage of the 10 years of anti-incumbency, but due to their internal differences, BJP got the benefit. If you give the BJP even a little chance in the electoral battle, then the BJP takes advantage of it.'

Owaisi further elaborated on his stance following the 2024 parliamentary elections, stating, 'After the 2024 elections in the Parliament, I had said that those who are saying that this is a big success on hatred, I had said at the time also that this is not the case. So, who is responsible for the success of BJP? You (Congress) are the main opposition there and had the golden opportunity to defeat BJP but could not do it.' He dismissed Congress's accusations against EVMs in the Haryana assembly elections, expressing, 'It is very easy to blame EVMs. You win due to EVMs and when you lose, then it is wrong. My opinion is that the BJP should have lost this state. There were many factors which were going against them.'

Meanwhile, the BJP is set to form its third consecutive government in Haryana after securing 48 seats in the 90-member assembly, as announced on Tuesday. The Congress managed to win 37 seats. In response to Congress's allegations of delayed vote updates during the Haryana assembly polls, the Election Commission characterized these claims as 'ill-founded,' dismissing attempts to endorse uncorroborated narratives. This rebuttal followed accusations from Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh, asserting the EC's influence on the results. The EC addressed a memorandum from Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh that criticized an 'unexplained slowdown' in result updates on its official platform.

(With inputs from agencies.)