New Delhi – The Indian National Congress has vehemently rejected the recently announced Haryana election results, labeling them as “unexpected,” “shocking,” and indicative of electoral manipulation. The party voiced its strong objections on Tuesday, following a dramatic turnaround from initial leads in its favor to a decisive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Earlier in the day, Congress submitted a formal complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI), citing an “unexplained slowdown” in the publication of election leads between 9 and 11 a.m. This delay, the party alleges, provides fertile ground for misinformation and undermines the transparency of the electoral process. “This allows bad-faith actors to spin narratives that undermine the process. We are already witnessing such instances on social media,” wrote senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in the complaint. He further expressed concerns that these misleading narratives could influence ongoing counting processes at various polling stations.
In response, the Election Commission dismissed the Congress’s allegations, asserting that approximately 25 counting rounds across all constituencies were being updated every five minutes. The ECI firmly rejected the Congress’s claims, stating, “We unequivocally reject your attempt to surreptitiously give credence to irresponsible, unfounded, and uncorroborated malafide narratives.”
Addressing the media around 5 p.m., Jairam Ramesh reiterated the party’s stance, describing the Haryana results as “a victory for manipulation” and “a defeat for transparent, democratic processes.” He emphasized that the Congress cannot accept the announced outcomes, which he believes contradict the voters’ intent for “change and transformation.” Ramesh disclosed that the party has received serious complaints regarding the counting process and the functionality of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in at least three districts. “We hope to present this information to the Election Commission today or the day after,” he stated.
Ramesh also touched upon the broader implications of the results, noting that 16 incumbent MLAs lost their seats and that the party’s victory in Jammu and Kashmir was achieved through an alliance with the National Conference. He acknowledged that introspection may be necessary but insisted that the immediate focus should be on addressing the alleged irregularities. “Victory has been snatched from us. The system has been misused,” he asserted.
When questioned about potential legal actions, Ramesh confirmed that the Election Commission remains the primary avenue for redressal, with further steps to be determined based on the Commission’s response. “The Election Commission is our first stop, and we will decide on additional measures as needed,” he added.
The BJP, however, remains unfazed by the Congress’s claims. In a swift rebuttal, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi interpreted the Congress’s complaints as an admission of defeat. “If Congress has started pointing fingers at the Election Commission, it indicates they have accepted defeat,” Trivedi remarked. He expressed confidence in the BJP’s continued success, suggesting that the party is positioning itself for a significant victory.
As the Haryana election results continue to unfold, the political tension between the Congress and BJP intensifies, with both parties firmly entrenched in their respective positions. The Election Commission’s forthcoming actions and responses will be crucial in determining the legitimacy and acceptance of the final election outcomes.
