BJP’s Failures That Could Pave the Way for a Congress Win in Haryana After 10 Years

LIVE The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing a possible defeat in Haryana after two terms in power, as predicted by the CVoter exit poll. According to the poll, the Congress party is poised to make a significant comeback, potentially winning 50-58 of the 90 Assembly seats, while the BJP is projected to secure just 20-28 seats. This shift in voter sentiment reflects several key failures during the BJP’s decade-long rule, leading to widespread discontent. Here are some of the critical missteps that have weakened the BJP’s standing in the state:

### 1. **Anti-Incumbency Sentiment**

The BJP government in Haryana has been severely impacted by anti-incumbency sentiments, fuelled by unresolved issues and public grievances. In an attempt to counter this, the party made a significant move by replacing then-Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in March 2024. However, this change proved insufficient, as it did little to address the root causes of voter dissatisfaction. The party's inability to tackle issues like corruption and governance failures only intensified the backlash, leaving many voters disillusioned.

### 2. **High Unemployment Rates**

Unemployment remains one of the BJP’s most glaring failures in Haryana. During its tenure, the state recorded an unemployment rate of 9% in 2021-22, more than double the national average of 4.1%. Despite promises made in its manifesto to create 2 lakh jobs, the government failed to fill approximately 1.84 lakh vacancies. While the BJP claimed its recruitment process was transparent and merit-based, the Congress exposed major irregularities, including the recovery of over Rs 3 crore from the Haryana Public Service Commission office. This scandal led to the cancellation of 47 competitive exams, damaging the BJP’s reputation further.

### 3. **Urban Voter Disillusionment**

The BJP, historically stronger in urban areas, saw a significant erosion of its support base in the recent elections. Urban voters, who played a crucial role in the BJP’s past successes, showed signs of disengagement this time around. Voter turnout among urban residents dropped noticeably, with only one crore out of two crore eligible voters casting their ballots. This significant decline in urban voter participation reflects growing disenchantment with the BJP’s policies and governance.

### 4. **E-Governance Reforms Gone Awry**

One of the flagship initiatives of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was the introduction of e-governance reforms, aimed at reducing corruption and improving public service delivery. However, these reforms, including the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) and Meri Fasal Mera Byora, were met with widespread frustration. Poor internet connectivity in rural areas made it difficult for residents to access essential government services, leaving them unable to benefit from various schemes. Instead of improving governance, these reforms alienated a significant portion of the population, particularly in rural areas, where access to digital services remains limited.

### 5. **Unfulfilled Promises**

The BJP’s failure to deliver on its promises further eroded public trust. For example, the government announced in August 2024 that it would pay Minimum Support Prices (MSP) on 24 crops and provide interest-free loans for Agniveers, alongside a 10% horizontal reservation. However, these promises were made just before the elections and were never fully implemented, leading to widespread scepticism among voters.

Additionally, the introduction of the mandatory Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) in 2020 added to voter frustration. Out of the 72 lakh families registered, only 68 lakh were verified, leading to discrepancies in old-age pensions and long queues at PPP centres, exacerbated by poor internet connectivity. These administrative failures only deepened the sense of dissatisfaction among the electorate.

### Conclusion

As the CVoter exit poll suggests, the BJP’s numerous governance failures, unmet promises, and policy missteps have set the stage for a potential Congress victory in Haryana. After a decade of BJP rule, the state’s voters appear ready for change, signalling the possibility of a new political landscape where Congress may once again take the reins.