Haryana polls highlights: Ex-MP Ashok Tanwar joins Congress hours after campaigning for BJP

Catch all the news updates related to Haryana Assembly elections here

Ashok Tanwar joined Congress hours after campaigning for BJP candidate in Safidon in Jind district. | Credit: X@AshokTanwar

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi will be in Haryana on Thursday, the last day of campaigning for the upcoming Assembly polls. Gandhi will address a public meeting in Nuh in favour of party candidate and sitting MLA Aftab Ahmed, who will be up against Tahir Hussain of the INLD, Rabia Kidwai of the AAP and Sanjay Singh of the BJP.

Gandhi will then proceed to Bhawaria in Mahendragarh to address a joint public meeting for the party’s candidates from the Mahendragarh, Ateli and Narnaul constituencies. The Congress has fielded Rao Dhan Singh , Anita Yadav and Rao Narender Singh from Mahendragarh, Ateli and Narnaul respectively.

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has thrown his weight behind Congress candidate Anirudh Chaudhary in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections

3:42 PM

Farmers hold 'rail roko' protest, train movement hit in Punjab

Movement of several trains was affected across Punjab on Thursday after farmers squatted on the tracks as part of their two-hour 'rail roko' protest in support of various demands, including justice in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri incident. The protest, which was organised by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, began at 12.30 pm.

3:40 PM

BJP banks on development in Haryana; voters unhappy over digitisation

The BJP may be banking on its development track record to come up trumps in the Haryana Assembly elections, but the voters appear to be troubled by the state government's thrust on digitisation through family and property identity certificates.

3:18 PM

Will Haryana put brakes on dynasty politics?

For almost 53 of the last 58 years, the state has been ruled by five leaders (and their families) — Bansi Lal, Devi Lal, Bhajan Lal, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Manohar Lal.

2:46 PM

Nothing happening but meetings: Top court raps Punjab, Haryana over air pollution

2:39 PM

All govt, private schools in Haryana will remain closed on Oct 4 and 5

This decision has been made in light of the Haryana Assembly elections as polling stations have been set up in the schools. Written orders have also been issued by the district administration of the respective districts.

2:04 PM

Haryana Assembly polls: Rajnath Singh says election is about development, Opposition shouldn't mislead people

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday accused the Congress of not fulfilling its poll promises as he asked the people of Haryana not to be misled by the opposition and asserted the upcoming state election was about choosing between "development and destruction."

1:33 PM

Haryana elections: AAP's Amar Singh extends support to Cong's Dharampal

1:19 PM

Haryana Legislative Assembly's current term is set to conclude on Nov 3

The previous elections took place in October 2019, resulting in a coalition government formed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jannayak Janta Party.

1:09 PM

Bhupinder Hooda points to BJP infighting; says ‘CM Saini got Khattar’s photos removed’

12:53 PM

Haryana polls: BJP hopeful for split in votes to turn tide in its favour

12:33 PM

Haryana polls: BJP will try to make a comeback on seats reserved for SCs

In the 17 Assembly segments reserved for SCs, the Congress led in 11 in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and its INDIA bloc ally Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in two more. The BJP led in only four segments. Five years back, in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had led in 15 of these segments and the Congress in two.

12:21 PM

Haryana Polls: 225 paramilitary companies, 60k security personnel deployed

The security has been tightened in Haryana ahead of the assembly election in Haryana, which is scheduled to happen on October 5. 225 paramilitary companies and 60,000 security personnel have been deployed for the elections, said an official.

12:11 PM

Why the Dalit vote may decide Haryana outcome?

Dalits constitute 20 per cent of the state’s population. Among them, the Jatavs are the largest community. Valmiki, Dhanuk, Mazhabi Sikhs, and a few other Dalit communities form the remainder. The Valmikis seem to be the second-largest Dalit community. There are 17 reserved seats for the Scheduled Castes in the 90-member assembly, giving Dalits an impressive electoral visibility. Regions like Fatehabad, Sirsa, and Ambala have the highest Dalit concentration.

11:51 AM