Acid Test for Political Leaders in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024

The Election Commission of India has announced the dates for the Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections, setting the stage for high-stakes political contests in both regions. The term of the Haryana Assembly will expire on November 3, 2024. Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir will hold its first Assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The recent 2024 Parliamentary Elections in Jammu & Kashmir witnessed a record voter turnout, rekindling the region's political fervour. Now, with the Assembly elections on the horizon, the people of Jammu & Kashmir will once again have the power to choose their representatives through the ballot.

Haryana Assembly Elections 2024: A Heated Contest
The Haryana Assembly Elections for 90 seats have ignited a fierce political battle. All major parties are claiming victory, but the outcome remains uncertain. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has ruled the state for the past two consecutive terms, is confident of securing a third term. However, the Congress is hopeful of exceeding expectations and emerging victorious.

Regional and other parties like the Jan-Nayak Janata Party (JJP), Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) face a critical decision—whether to form alliances or contest independently. A multi-cornered contest could lead to unpredictable results. In the 2019 Assembly Elections, the BJP was forced to form a government with the JJP, but that alliance has since dissolved. The people of Haryana will cast their votes in a single-phase election on October 1, 2024, with results to be declared on October 4, 2024. Notably, in the recent 2024 Parliamentary Elections, both the BJP and Congress won five seats each in Haryana.

Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024: A New Era
The Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections will be the first since the abrogation of Article 370, making them historic. The recent 2024 Parliamentary Elections in the region saw a record voter turnout, signaling a renewed interest in the democratic process. The people of Jammu & Kashmir have high expectations for the next state government.

Elections will be conducted in three phases: 24 seats on September 18, 2024, 26 seats on September 25, 2024, and the remaining 40 seats on October 1, 2024. The vote counting will take place on October 4, 2024. National parties such as the BJP and Congress, along with regional parties like the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP), Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), Apni Party, Democratic Progressive Azad Party, and CPI(M), will either contest on their own or form alliances.

In recent years, Jammu & Kashmir has seen significant development in tourism, infrastructure, and the railway network, leading to an increase in per capita income. However, the political landscape remains complex, and the question of whether parties will form alliances or contest independently looms large. The results of these elections will play a crucial role in strengthening the democratic process in Jammu & Kashmir. In the 2024 Parliamentary Elections, the BJP and JKNC each won two seats, while an Independent candidate secured one seat.

Looking Ahead: Implications Beyond the State Elections
Once these Assembly elections conclude, the Election Commission of India may announce by-elections for vacant Parliamentary and State Assembly seats, as well as Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Political parties at both the national and regional levels will undoubtedly pull out all the stops to secure victory. Ultimately, "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar"—the victor will take it all. The outcomes of these two crucial Assembly elections could set the tone for future by-elections and state elections in the final quarter of 2024.

Authored by:
Rajat Kumar Mohindru,  
Journalist,  
Jalandhar City.