Tue Oct 08 05:00:57 UTC 2024: ## Farmers’ Anger Fuels Congress Victory in Haryana: BJP Loses Ground
**Chandigarh:** The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has faced a major setback in Haryana, a state that served as the epicenter of the nationwide farmers’ protests, as the recently concluded assembly elections saw a surge in support for the Congress. This defeat comes amidst a wave of anti-incumbency sentiment, fueled by the ongoing farmers’ agitation and the BJP’s handling of the situation.
The farmers’ protest, which began in late 2020 against the now-repealed farm laws, intensified in February 2021 with the “Delhi Chalo” march. The Haryana BJP government responded with brute force, deploying police and paramilitary forces at the state borders to prevent the farmers from entering Delhi. The crackdown included tear gas shelling, drone-based tear gas attacks, and even fatalities.
The violence and perceived lack of empathy from the BJP government further alienated the farmers, who feel their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP), are being ignored.
The election results reflect the anger and resentment felt by the farmers. The Congress, which gained a significant lead with 53 seats, appears to have capitalized on the anti-BJP sentiment. The BJP managed to secure only 30 seats, while the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), a key player in the 2019 elections, managed to secure just one seat.
The 2019 elections saw the BJP emerge as the largest party with 40 seats, while the Congress secured 31 seats. The JJP, with 10 seats, formed an alliance with the BJP to form the government.
This election result signifies a dramatic shift in the political landscape of Haryana, where the farmers’ anger seems to have tipped the scales in favor of the Congress. The BJP’s future in the state now remains uncertain as they attempt to rebuild trust and address the concerns of the farmers.
First Piper 