BJP and INLD Request Delay of Elections, Congress Accuses Fear of Defeat

The Haryana Story reports that a controversy has erupted over the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, scheduled for October 1, 2024. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) have both asked the Election Commission to delay the polls, citing concerns about voter turnout due to a series of holidays around the voting date.

Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli wrote to the Election Commission on August 22, pointing out that September 28 and 29 are weekend days, October 1 is the polling day, and October 2 is a holiday for Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. Badoli argued that this string of holidays might lead to families leaving the state, potentially affecting voter turnout. 

Supporting this view, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, "If voting percentage is good, it is good for democracy." INLD's secretary general Abhay Singh Chautala also wrote to the Election Commission, requesting a one-week delay in the polls due to the holiday situation.

However, the opposition Congress party has strongly criticized these requests, accusing the BJP of trying to postpone the elections out of fear of losing. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, "This implies they want to postpone the elections and have accepted their defeat." Hooda emphasized that the election dates were announced on August 16, and the holidays were known at that time as well.

Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda added to the criticism, stating on social media platform X, "Seeing its defeat in front, the ruling party is giving childish arguments. Because it has no issue, no work or achievement to tell the public, and no 90 candidates to give tickets."

The Congress leaders argue that Haryana's voters are aware and will come out in large numbers to vote, regardless of the holidays. They insist that the elections should be held on time, as announced by the Election Commission. 

This controversy has intensified the political atmosphere in Haryana, with both sides accusing each other of playing politics over the election date. The BJP and INLD claim to be concerned about voter turnout, while the Congress sees it as a tactic to avoid an imminent defeat.

As the debate continues, all eyes are now on the Election Commission to see if it will consider the requests to delay the polls or stick to the original schedule. The decision could have significant implications for the political landscape in Haryana and set a precedent for future elections in similar situations.

The Haryana Story will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as they become available.