BSP and INLD Eye Haryana Win, Criticize Congress and BJP over Reservation

BSP's Akash Anand expressed confidence in the BSP-INLD alliance for the upcoming Haryana assembly polls, criticizing Congress and BJP for opposing reservations. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini defended his 56-day tenure, while electoral efforts aimed at increasing voter turnout are in full swing for the October 5 elections.

Akash Anand, the national coordinator of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), expressed confidence on Saturday that the BSP and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) coalition will form the next government in Haryana. Anand sharply criticized Congress and the BJP, asserting that both parties oppose reservations and pose a threat to the policy.

"We are receiving positive feedback wherever we go. If there is one party that has harmed people the most regarding reservation, it is Congress, followed by BJP. Both these parties are dangers to the principle of reservation," Anand told ANI. The BSP and INLD are jointly contesting the forthcoming elections in Haryana.

In response, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched a strong rebuke against former Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Saini claimed that his 56-day tenure has significantly outperformed Hooda's 10-year governance. "People say our time was limited, but in just 56 days, I have made 126 historic decisions for Haryana," Saini declared at a campaign rally. Hooda dismissed these as mere announcements.

Meanwhile, Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal announced measures to boost voter turnout in the upcoming elections scheduled for October 5. The Election Commission of India, along with Agarwal's office, is implementing various SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) activities such as slogan writing, painting, street plays, and poster making to encourage voting. Agarwal noted that historically, Haryana's voter turnout has been higher than other states.

The 90-member Haryana legislative assembly will cast their ballots on October 5, with the vote count scheduled for October 8, alongside Jammu and Kashmir.