In a significant political shift ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Amar Singh from the Nilokheri constituency has switched allegiance to the Congress party. Singh made the announcement during a press conference alongside Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, further complicating the electoral landscape for AAP as the voting day approaches.
Bajwa expressed gratitude to Amar Singh and his supporters, stating, “The BJP will get a huge benefit if the votes get divided in Haryana. I am thankful to Amar Singh and his supporters for extending support to the Congress candidate from the Nilokheri Assembly constituency. He has decided to withdraw his candidature from the assembly constituency…I welcome him into the Congress party.” This move marks a strategic gain for Congress as they prepare for the elections, which are set for October 5.
Political Landscape Ahead of Elections
As the elections draw near, all major political parties, including the BJP, Congress, JJP, INLD, AAP, and BSP, are ramping up their efforts to mobilize voter support. The focus is particularly intense in constituencies like Nuh, which has been under scrutiny due to significant unrest during riots in July-August 2023. The Congress candidate for Nuh is Aftab Ahmed, a former MLA who successfully won the seat in the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections. On the other hand, the BJP has nominated Sanjay Singh, who previously won the Sohna seat in the last elections.
The political climate in Haryana is charged as Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar confidently asserted on October 2 that the BJP will secure a third consecutive term in the upcoming elections. “The BJP will be creating a record, as no other party has achieved a third consecutive term in Haryana. Congress has only managed two terms and could not secure a third,” Khattar declared.
Voting Details
Voting for all 90 Assembly constituencies in Haryana will take place on October 5, from 7 AM to 6 PM. Following the voting, the counting of votes is scheduled for October 8. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP emerged victorious by winning 40 out of the 90 seats, forming a coalition government with the JJP, which secured 10 seats, while the Congress garnered 31 seats.
Amar Singh’s departure from AAP and subsequent alignment with Congress not only reflects changing political loyalties but also signifies the increasing competitiveness of the Haryana electoral arena as parties strategize for the upcoming assembly elections.