Tue Oct 08 03:20:47 UTC 2024: ## Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Election Results: BJP Leads in Haryana, Close Race in J&K

**Panchkula, Haryana/Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir:** The counting of votes for the Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections began on Tuesday morning at 8 am. Initial trends suggest a strong lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana, while the race in Jammu & Kashmir remains close.

Haryana, which saw a fierce contest between the BJP and the Congress, is witnessing a high-stakes battle as the ruling BJP aims for a third consecutive term. The Congress, fueled by exit poll projections, is hopeful of reclaiming power after 10 years.

The results of these elections are being closely watched as they could impact the political landscape of the upcoming general elections in India. In Jammu & Kashmir, the first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, security measures have been beefed up at counting centers.

**Initial Trends:**

* Early trends show the Congress leading in Haryana.
* In Jammu & Kashmir, the election is neck-and-neck.

**Key Statements:**

* **BJP leader Shehzad Poonawala:** “Whatever the public verdict, it’s clear that these EVMs have been a victory for India’s democratic traditions. Those celebrating exit polls shouldn’t blame EVMs.”
* **Awami Ittehad Party leader Engineer Rashid:** “My vision for Kashmir is a Kashmir of my dreams, where there is peace, where everyone lives together.”
* **Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta:** “BJP has taken Jammu & Kashmir on the path of development, freed them from stone-pelting… They are free from separatism, terrorism, corruption, and dynastic politics. They have voted for BJP… We will form the government.”

**Security Measures:**

* Multiple layers of security have been deployed at counting centers in both states.
* The Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Pankaj Agarwal, stated that three-tier security measures have been put in place.
* In J&K, security has been heightened at counting centers in Jammu and Ramban.

The counting process is underway, and the final results are expected to be declared later today.

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