The counting of votes for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir polls has started. In Haryana. the Congress is past the halfway mark in early leads. The early leads in J&K pointed to a close fight initially, the Congress-NC alliance has now surged ahead.
Exit polls have predicted a Congress victory in Haryana and a split verdict in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with the National Conference and Congress alliance ahead.
Both states have 90 seats each, making 46 the majority mark. But in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor’s power to nominate five more members to the assembly has raised concern, with the non-BJP parties alleging it is tinkering with the people’s mandate.
The BJP is hoping for a third straight term in power in Haryana amid what is seen as massive anti-incumbency and dissatisfaction of the Jats and the farmer community.