Sat Oct 05 05:47:09 UTC 2024: ## Haryana Assembly Elections 2024: Voting Underway Amid Tight Security

**Haryana, October 5, 2024:** Voting for the 90-member Haryana Assembly began this morning amidst tight security, with a poll percentage of 9.53% recorded in the first two hours. The fate of 1,031 candidates, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Vinesh Phogat, will be decided today. The ruling BJP is aiming for a third consecutive victory, while the Congress hopes to make a comeback after a decade.

The key contenders in the election include the BJP, Congress, AAP, INLD-BSP, and JJP-Azad Samaj Party. Over 2 crore voters, including 8,821 centenarians, are eligible to exercise their franchise.

**High-profile Candidates and Key Issues:**

– **Vinesh Phogat,** a prominent wrestler and Congress candidate, expressed confidence in her party’s victory, emphasizing their commitment to women’s rights.
– **Savitri Jindal,** an independent candidate from the Hisar constituency, appealed for voter participation and promised to develop the region.
– **Dushyant Chautala,** the former Deputy CM and JJP leader, expressed confidence in the alliance’s success.
– **Union Home Minister Amit Shah,** in a statement, reiterated the BJP’s commitment to development and good governance.
– **Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda** called for the removal of the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bhiwani district, accusing him of bias against the Congress.

**Key Issues:**

– **Jobs, Agniveers, Women, and Farmers:** are central to the campaign promises of the major parties.
– **Change:** The state is witnessing a growing desire for change after the BJP’s decade-long rule.
– **Anti-Incumbency:** The BJP’s incumbent government is facing challenges due to anti-incumbency sentiments.

**Campaigning Ends Amidst Slanging Match:**

The high-pitched electioneering came to an end on Thursday with both the BJP and Congress engaging in a heated exchange of accusations. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being an expert in telling lies, while BJP leaders reiterated their focus on development and good governance.

**Counting of votes will take place on October 8.**

Read More