Political Clash Over Haryana Poll Date: Congress Accuses Election Commission of Favoring BJP

Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticized the Election Commission for postponing the Haryana Assembly polls, accusing it of working for the BJP. He and other Congress leaders allege the move is aimed at countering anti-incumbency. BJP, however, defends the decision as pro-democratic.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Sunday lashed out at the Election Commission for postponing the Haryana Assembly polls, alleging that the poll body is working for the BJP. 'Not only ED and CBI but now the Election Commission is also working for the BJP. It's very unfortunate that the Election Commission, for a political party's demand, has pushed the date back and it shows that the BJP is afraid of defeat in Haryana,' said Tagore, speaking to ANI.

'The unpopular government in Haryana, led by BJP, will be defeated with a huge margin in every constituency, and a Congress government will be formed in Haryana with a clear verdict from the people,' he added. AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria, emphasized that the delay would not affect the Congress' preparations for the polls. '... BJP had issues running the government for 10 years through adhocism. They set dates through the same adhocism, and later the dates were changed. But in this process, they affected the entire administration, voters, and timetable. This won't affect us at all. We see this as their failure,' noted Babaria.

Congress leader Ajay Maken claimed BJP is looking to delay the polls to counteract anti-incumbency sentiment in the state. 'We are ready. We were ready earlier too. We are prepared even if elections take place tomorrow. BJP wants to postpone the elections in some way due to anti-incumbency, but we will win comfortably,' Maken affirmed. The Election Commission of India (ECI) revised the polling day for Haryana Assembly polls from October 1 to October 5 and also moved the counting of votes for Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana from October 4 to October 8.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Anil Vij defended the EC's decision, accusing Congress of fleeing from the election. 'This reflects BJP's commitment to democracy in India and providing opportunities for people to vote. Congress's criticism reflects their fear of elections,' said Vij. 'If Congress doesn't like the process, they can sit at home and not vote. The dates have been revised in the interest of people,' he added. Former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda remarked that the move acknowledges BJP's fear of an electoral loss. 'It is the Election Commission's right to change the date. BJP has already accepted defeat when they wrote to the Election Commission,' said Hooda.

(With inputs from agencies.)