State polls reflect BJP's ongoing strength, signal Congress alliance revival

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made history in Haryana by winning a third consecutive term in the 2024 assembly elections. With 48 seats, the party comfortably crossed the 46-seat majority mark required to form the government in the state, cementing its position with an absolute majority. Congress, which secured 37 seats, will now serve as the strongest opposition in the Haryana Assembly. Nayab Singh Saini is set to take over as the Chief Minister, marking another milestone for the BJP in Haryana’s political history.
Meanwhile, in Jammu & Kashmir, the first election after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 saw a change of leadership. The Congress and National Conference Party (NC) alliance won 49 seats, securing a majority and taking power. Umar Abdullah, Vice President of the National Conference, will become the new Chief Minister. The NC dominated by winning 42 out of 56 constituencies, while the Congress secured 6 seats. A Marxist candidate also emerged victorious, adding to the alliance's strength.
The BJP, contesting alone in Jammu & Kashmir, won 29 seats, while the People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti, managed only 3. Prominent figures like BJP state president Ravindra Raina and Iltija Mufti, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, faced defeat. The Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference Party and Aam Aadmi Party secured one seat each, while 7 independent candidates also won.
While Congress faced defeat in Haryana, its alliance victory in Jammu & Kashmir offered some solace, marking a significant win for the India Alliance. As the BJP takes charge in Haryana and the Congress-NC alliance in Jammu & Kashmir, the political landscape in these states sets the stage for future national dynamics.