Exit Poll Results 2024 Live: Congress projected to win Haryana, advantage to NC alliance in J&K, exit polls show

The Congress-NC alliance will get more than 55 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir claimed on Saturday as several exit polls gave an edge to the combine. Voting in Jammu and Kashmir took place in three phases and the results will be declared on October 8. Many exit polls have predicted that the National Conference would emerge as the single largest party.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir have voted to change the last 10 years of BJP rule. Whatever the exit polls show, our belief is that the vote was for change, for keeping the BJP out in both regions (Kashmir and Jammu)," Mir told PTI.

He asserted the Congress-NC alliance would get more than 55 seats when the results are announced.

Congress leader Capt. Ajay Singh Yadav, Chairman of the AICC OBC unit said that the party should get 60 seats adding that it won't be a surprise if the number crosses 65 as well.

"Exit polls have started coming. I think we should get around 60 seats. Some 10-12 (election) tickets were not given appropriately, else it was going to be a tsunami. It won't be a surprise if the number of seats crosses 65 as well. Many start campaigners came here, if Rahul Gandhi had come it would have been good," he said.

Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday attributed this projected win to the impressive track record of Congress between 2005 and 2014, coupled with the perceived failures of the BJP-led government from 2014 to 2024, marked by corruption and underperformance.

"I have been saying this since we started campaigning that there is a wave in favour of Congress. Congress will form a government with a thumping majority...The main factor was our achievements from 2005-2014 and the failure of the BJP government from 2014-2024- corruption and non-performance. We will work on unemployment, education and security," Hooda told ANI.

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says, "BJP will form the government with full majority. We are confident."

"I have been saying this since we started campaigning that there is a wave in favour of Congress. Congress will form a government with a thumping majority...The main factor was our achievements from 2005-2014 and the failure of the BJP government from 2014-2024- corruption and non-performance. We will work on unemployment, education and security...It (CM post) is everyone's right...This is democracy. Whatever decision the High Command takes we will accept this...She (Kumari Selja) is our senior leader," Bhupinder Hooda told news agency ANI.

"'Exit poll ki pol pehle bhi khul chuki hai'. People are still casting their votes and people are standing in line. The last person is yet to cast vote. The total percentage has not been out yet...Exit polls will be proved wrong and the BJP will form government. On October 8 BJP will form government," Anil Vij told ANI.

NC: 11-15 seats
BJP: 27-31 seats
PDP: 0-2 seats
Other: 0-1 seat

"I’m amazed channels are bothering with exit polls especially after the fiasco of the recent general elections. I’m ignoring all the noise on channels, social media, WhatsApp Etc because the only numbers that matter will be revealed on the 8th of October. The rest is just time pass," Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.

The counting of votes will take place on October 8. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP won 40 of the 90 seats, forming a coalition government with the JJP, which won 10 seats. The Congress secured 31 seats. However, JJP later broke out of the coalition. Manohar Lal Khattar served as the Chief Minister of Haryana for around 9.5 years. He was succeeded by Nayab Singh Saini in March this year. BJP is contesting the polls under his leadership. Saini is contesting from Ladwa constituency.

In J&K, the National Conference (NC) and the Congress have formed a coalition to contest the elections. They have agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement where NC will contest 51 seats while Congress will contest 32 out of a total of 90 seats. Additionally, one seat each has been allocated to smaller parties like the CPI(M) and Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP). A "friendly contest" is planned for five seats where both parties will field candidates.

In Haryana, BJP's Nayab Singh Saini's government faces challenges from opposition parties like Congress and AAP, who are leveraging local issues, specially farmers' rights, to gain traction among voters. The BJP is aiming to secure a third consecutive term, but the opposition's strategies may challenge its hold on power.

Meanwhile, in J&K, the NC-Congress alliance seeks to consolidate votes against a backdrop of historical animosities and changing political allegiances.

The 90 seats of Haryana went to the polls in a single phase on October 5, while the 90 seats of Jammu and Kashmir voted in three phases -- September 18, September 25 and October 1 -- keeping in mind security concerns.

The elections are critical for both states due to their unique political contexts.

All eyes are on the exit polls for the Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) assembly elections, following the closing of voting booths in Haryana. The exit polls results give an indication of what the political landscape may look like after results are declared on October 8.

Targeting the Congress over the alleged molestation attempt with a party worker on stage, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Saturday that the Congress doesn't respect anyone, including women and this is their culture.

CM Saini also asserted that if they get an application in this regard, they will surely take action.

"They don't respect anyone including women, the poor, and Dalits. This is in their culture and DNA. If we get an application in this regard, then we will take action. Our government will take strict action and not spare anyone. Women are an integral part of the society," he said.

Speaking on the issue, Congress MP Kumari Selja said that she spoke to the woman who was allegedly molested and demanded strict action on this.

"I spoke to her, she told me that some people were touching her and trying to remove her from the stage. We saw the same in the video as well and when I confirmed this with her, she told me that someone misbehaved with her. If something like this happens to a woman today, it is highly condemnable. Action should be taken on this," Selja said.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also posted on X and termed the incident as "most shocking."

He said, "A woman congress leader was molested on stage in the presence of Deependra Hooda by congress leaders. Confirmed by news reports and even Kumari Selja. If women are not safe in Congress meetings in full public view during the daytime - can they be safe if Congress comes to power?"

Sunil Kumar became the centre of attraction at a polling booth in Kurukshetra on Saturday as he reached there to cast his vote in his wedding attire. The groom from Kurukshetra district in Haryana exercised his franchise before tying the knot.

"I want to give a message to all that casting votes is very important. Nobody should waste a vote," Kumar said after voting at the polling booth in the Ladwa assembly seat.

"I am going to get married after casting my vote," Kumar told PTI Videos.

He said though he got late for the wedding but voting was more important.

Kumar's mother appealed to the people of Haryana to come out of their houses and vote in large numbers.

"Today, Haryana is celebrating the festival of democracy. People are voting for a change, they are waiting for a better health and education system in the state... AAP will come as a thrid option in the state," said Haryana AAP president Sushil Gupta.

On an alleged molestation attempt with a Congress worker on stage at a Congress rally, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says," They don't respect anyone including women, the poor and Dalits. This is in their culture & DNA. If we get an application in this regard then we will take action. Our government will take strict action and not spare anyone. Women are an integral part of the society..."

The CM adds, "...In the Rs 5000 cr drugs case, (the alleged kingpin) has a photo with Deepender Hooda..Are they spreading drugs among youth? Rahul (Congress MP Rahul Gandhi) visited Haryana, he should spoken about this..." (ANI)

"Today votes are being cast. It all depends on the people and we will have to accept whatever the people decide. Wait till 8th October, everything will be clear," said Union minister Rao Inderjit Singh.

After exercising his right to vote in the Haryana elections, Congress leader and wrestler Bajrang Punia expressed his desire for the Congress party to form the next government in the state. On Saturday, Punia and his wife, Sangeeta Phogat, visited a polling station in Jhajjar to participate in the 2024 Haryana elections.

"I appeal to the people of Haryana to vote as much as possible. Today there is a lack of employment in Haryana. The government that was in power from 2005-2014, every section of the society developed. In the last 10 years, be it sportspersons, farmers, soldiers, or whoever raised their voice, they were lathi-charged. So keeping this in mind, you should vote as much as possible. Congress government should be brought to power in Haryana..." Bajrang Punia said while speaking to ANI.

Mahavir Singh Phogat praised the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) after casting his vote in the Haryana elections. He acknowledged the party's efforts in the state over the past decade, stating, "In the last 10 years, poor people have been given houses, farmers have been given compensation, and the last 10 years of the BJP government have been good for the state."

Regarding his niece Vinesh's decision to enter politics, Phogat clarified that it was entirely her own choice and that the family had no influence on it. He mentioned that he had intended to receive her at the airport upon her return from the Olympics, but her social media post led him to change his mind, with Deepender Hooda taking his place instead. Phogat emphasized, "Her decision to enter politics is completely her own, we have nothing to do with it... I did my part in her journey, rest is up to her."

In a separate statement, Vinesh Phogat, who is contesting as a Congress candidate from the Julana Assembly Constituency, expressed the significance of the Haryana elections after casting her vote. She described the day as a huge festival and a very important day for the people of the state, urging them to come out and exercise their right to vote. Phogat also reminisced about the state of sports in Haryana during Bhupinder Hooda's tenure as chief minister, saying, "10 years ago, when Bhupinder Hooda was the CM, the level of sports in the state was really good." Regarding the possibility of becoming a minister, she acknowledged that the decision lies with the high command and not in her hands.

Union minister Manohar Lal criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's push for a caste census on Saturday, claiming that the party has always viewed caste as a vote bank. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Lal stated, "They always considered caste as their vote bank and worked for it. We have never considered any caste as a vote bank. As I talk about Haryana, we see the entire society of Haryana as one, that is, as a whole, and we work for them; we serve them. In 2014, I had given a slogan, Haryana is one, Haryanvi is one. In the end, it means that we all consider Haryana as one. Congress has always done the work of dividing the groups."

Lal also criticized Sam Pitroda, the Chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress, for his past comments where he allegedly called Prime Minister Modi a "traitor." Lal found these remarks deeply offensive and believed they alienate the public. He advised Pitroda to refrain from speaking against Modi if he wants to move his party forward.

Regarding speculation about Kumari Selja joining the BJP, the former Haryana CM said that when followers of a leader feel insulted, they turn against the party that has insulted their leader. He stated, "The leaders of this party are just showing off and people have finally understood. The Congress party does not care about anyone but one family... Kumari Selja's community considers her as their leader, and when she has been insulted, people consider it their insult. When the followers of a leader feel insulted, they turn against the party that has insulted their leader. They start looking for an option."

As of 1 pm, Mewat recorded the highest voter turnout of 42.64%, followed by Yamunanagar at 42.08% and Jind at 41.93%. Panchkula recorded the lowest voter turnout at 25.89%

By 1 PM, 35.10% voter turnout was recorded across the three assembly constituencies in Rewari district, Haryana. Kosli had the highest turnout with 37.70%, while the lowest turnout was in Bawal at 33.60%.

Mahendragarh district. By 1 PM, 38.20% of voters had cast their ballots. The Mahendragarh seat recorded the highest turnout with 40.40%, while Nangal Chaudhary saw the lowest at 37%.

Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed his confidence in the BJP's victory in the Haryana assembly polls on Saturday. He emphasized that the party has worked tirelessly with a spirit of service for the past decade and will continue to do so under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout in Haryana reached 22.70 percent by 11 AM on Saturday, as voting commenced for the 90 assembly seats.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also shared his optimism about the BJP's success, stating, "The wind is in BJP's favour, BJP government is being formed for the third time in Haryana and lotus will bloom in Ladwa with a big margin."

Responding to the Congress party's claim of surpassing 70 seats, Saini commented, "No one can stop Congress from dreaming. They also dreamed in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, but they should reflect on their work and recognise how they have become an obstacle to development. The people of the state are aware of how they have insulted Dalits."

Earlier in the day, Saini criticized the Congress party, stating that their promises lacked substance. He appealed to the people of Haryana to cast their votes in full force, assuring them that under PM Modi's leadership, the BJP will continue to work towards the development of the state, just as they have done over the past 10 years.

Former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his son, Congress MP Deepender Hooda, cast their ballots at a polling station in Rohtak as voting for the Haryana Assembly elections 2024 is in progress. Hooda expressed his confidence that the Congress party would come to power in Haryana with a substantial majority.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda is running for election from the Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi constituency, facing off against Manju (BJP), Praveen (AAP), Sushila Devi (JJP), and Krishan (INLD).

Hooda stated, "Congress is coming to power in Haryana with a huge majority. The high command will decide who will become the Chief Minister. Our government will work on unemployment, law and order, development of the state."
The Congress leader also called upon the citizens to exercise their democratic right and vote peacefully. He said, "I appeal to people to come out of their houses and cast their votes peacefully. According to the reports, people are voting in good numbers. Congress is going to form its government here."

Prior to the voting, Congress MP Deepender Hooda requested the Election Commission to remove the Bhiwani SP, alleging that the officer was working in favor of the BJP candidate. Deepender Hooda said, "We demanded from the Election Commission that Bhiwani SP should be removed. From yesterday, we have noticed that he working in favour of a BJP candidate. So he should be removed...The people of Haryana have made up their minds and BJP Govt is going, Congress is coming. People are rejecting the BJP and the independents that have been sponsored by the BJP."

The Election Commission of India reported that voting for the 90 assembly seats in Haryana began on Saturday, with a voter turnout of 22.70 percent as of 11am. Palwal recorded the highest poll percentage at 27.94%, followed by Jind at 27.20%, Mewat at 25.65%, Yamunanagar at 25.56%, and Ambala at 25.50%, as of 9am.

In Rohatak, the poll percentage was 12.71 per cent, while Bhiwani recorded 23.45 per cent, Charkhi Dadri 20.10 percent, Faridabad 20.39 percent, and Hisar 24.69 percent as of 11 AM.

Manish Kumar Lohan, the Nodal officer of the Haryana election commission, expressed optimism about the voter turnout, stating, "More than 25% voter turnout has been recorded, with some districts like Yamunanagar, Kaithal, and Bhiwani showing more than 20%. This is a very encouraging trend, and I am confident that we will achieve a good overall voter turnout. Based on past elections, I believe we will surpass our previous voting percentage. Our efforts to engage voters through various awareness programs have made a difference, especially with the inclusion of new young voters."

"If we calculate the average so far, I believe we should aim for at least a 70-75% voter turnout, and it could even be higher. Overall, the voting process has been peaceful and conducted in a very pleasant environment. Regarding the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), since they are technical items, there can sometimes be issues with our polling parties. However, our instructions are well laid out, and our sector officers are following the Election Commission's guidelines effectively," he added.

The voting process in Haryana will continue until 6 PM, with a total of 1,031 candidates contesting across all 90 assembly constituencies and 20,632 polling booths set up for voting. The results for the Haryana Assembly elections will be announced alongside those of Jammu and Kashmir on October 8.

Pankaj Agarwal, Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer, stated that 2,03,54,350 voters, including 1,07,75,957 males, 95,77,926 females, and 467 third-gender voters, are expected to cast their votes in the Assembly Elections on October 5. The state has deployed 29,462 police personnel, 21,196 home guards, and 10,403 Special Police Officers (SPO) to ensure smooth and peaceful polling.

Both the Congress and the INLD have expressed confidence in their respective parties' victory in the upcoming elections. Senior Congress MP Kumari Selja stated that the decision on the chief ministerial candidate will be made by the party high command if the Congress secures a victory in the assembly elections.

Senior Congress MP Kumari Selja affirmed that the party high command will determine the chief ministerial candidate for Haryana if the Congress secures victory in the assembly elections. "I believe in hard work and work on the ground. I am a soldier of the party and I am confident about my work... The final decision will be taken by the party high command," Selja told ANI.

The Congress MP expressed optimism about the party's prospects in the Haryana assembly polls, attributing the favorable shift in the state's political atmosphere to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. She also criticized the BJP's decade-long governance in Haryana, stating that the people are eager to break free from the party's rule.

Selja emphasized the high voter turnout and the Congress's anticipated significant margin of victory. She highlighted the public's desire for change, particularly among women who aspire to have a female Chief Minister in Haryana.
The voting process in Haryana commenced at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm, with 1,031 candidates vying for seats across all 90 assembly constituencies. The state has established 20,632 polling stations to facilitate the voting process. The Haryana Assembly election results will be announced concurrently with those of Jammu and Kashmir on October 8.

In a contrasting stance, former Haryana Congress CM Manohar Lal Khattar launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the party of propagating falsehoods and attributing unemployment to their past corrupt practices. Khattar asserted that under BJP governance, employment opportunities have expanded, especially in Haryana.

Khattar criticized the Congress for their alleged lies and failure to announce a chief ministerial candidate. He argued that the people of Haryana endured numerous hardships during the Congress government's tenure, which he characterized as corrupt. Khattar claimed that the BJP's rule has eliminated corrupt agents and middlemen, resulting in ample employment opportunities for the common man, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR) and districts along the Grand Trunk Road.

The polling for the Haryana Assembly elections commenced at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm. Across the state's 90 assembly constituencies, 1,031 candidates are vying for seats. To facilitate the voting process, authorities have established 20,632 polling stations throughout Haryana.

Voter turnout Till 11 am- 12.5% voting in Bhadkal, 14%in Ballabhgarh, 12.7% in Faridabad, 15.9% in NIT Faridabad, 14.5% in Prithala & 11.9% in Tiagaon. A total of 2.42 lakh voters have exercised their franchise till 11am across six assembly segments in Faridabad

Congress MP Deepender Hooda says, "In Haryana, the trend is Congress and the scenario is Congress. People have decided for a change and that is the trend you can see visibly across Haryana. How can the BJP say who will be the CM of Congress and also that they are forming govt? I thank the BJP that the main issue of discussion in their party is who will be Congress' Chief Minister. This means they have accepted that Congress is coming to power and people are going to bless the Congress party..."

"The people of Ambala want to stay peacefully, they do not want hooliganism back here...Peace means the symbol of lotus...BJP will form its government in Haryana...Kumari Selja is feeling suffocated in Congress, she is not being respected in the party," he said.

Chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed optimism on Saturday about his party's prospects in the Haryana assembly elections. He believes that the Congress will deliver a strong performance and form the government in the state. Hooda also encouraged the public to exercise their democratic right and cast their votes in a peaceful manner.

"I appeal to people to come out of their houses and cast their votes peacefully. According to the reports, people are voting in good numbers. Congress is going to form its government here," he said.

Hooda is running for election in the Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi constituency, where he faces competition from Manju (BJP), Praveen (AAP), Sushila Devi (JJP), and Krishan (INLD).

Over two crore eligible voters in Haryana will determine whether the BJP secures a third consecutive term in power or if the Congress makes a comeback after a decade. The voting hours are from 7 am to 6 pm, with 1,031 candidates vying for seats across all 90 assembly constituencies. The state has set up 20,632 polling booths to facilitate the voting process. The election results for Haryana will be announced on October 8, alongside those of Jammu and Kashmir.

This election holds significant importance as the BJP aims to secure a third straight term, while the Congress seeks to regain power amidst anti-incumbency sentiment and issues such as farmer and wrestler protests. Other key parties in the fray include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Indian National Lok Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party (INLD-BSP) pre-poll alliance, and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP)-Azad Samaj Party (ASP) alliance.

After casting his vote, Wrestler and BJP leader Yogeshwar Dutt says, "I have cast my vote in my village and I request people to vote as much as possible and strengthen democracy, play your important role in forming a strong government, vote to take Haryana forward ... BJP's lotus will bloom for the third time in Haryana and Nayab Singh Saini will take oath as CM for the second time..."