Haryana Elections 2024 Live Updates: 'Wherever BJP opened nafrat ka bazaar we opened Mohabbat ki dukaan', says Rahul Gandhi in Nuh

Ashok Tanwar, a former Member of Parliament, formally joined the Congress party on Friday. During the event, he appealed to all segments of society in Haryana, particularly Dalits and backward classes, to deliver a "big mandate" for the party in the upcoming assembly elections. Tanwar emphasized that such a mandate would send a powerful message to the entire nation.

Interestingly, just hours before his official induction into the Congress, Tanwar was actively campaigning for the BJP candidate in the Safidon assembly constituency. He had been urging voters to re-elect the BJP for a third consecutive term. However, his informal joining of the Congress at Rahul Gandhi's rally in Mahendragarh district on Thursday dealt a blow to the BJP's prospects ahead of the October 5 assembly polls.

The official induction ceremony took place at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters, where party treasurer Ajay Maken welcomed Tanwar into the fold. Following the ceremony, Tanwar, along with party MP Deepender Hooda, met with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

In a post on X, Kharge affirmed the party's commitment to the welfare of various communities in Haryana, stating, "We are with 36 communities in Haryana. Our resolve is for everyone. We will always raise the voice of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities and the poor."

Amid the reports of a rift in the Haryana Congress, the party's Rajya Sabha MP Kumari Selja has asserted her position as a potential candidate for the chief minister's post in Haryana, should the Congress emerge victorious in the upcoming assembly elections.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Kumari Selja has made her stance clear regarding the potential choice for Haryana's Chief Minister should the Congress come to power. Selja stated that while the final decision will rest with the party's high command, her candidacy should not be overlooked.

In an interview with news agency ANI, the senior Congress leader emphasized her experience and seniority, suggesting that she is a strong contender for the position. "The high command will decide, but there are a few names under consideration, and I believe mine will be one of them. The party leadership will take into account factors such as seniority, work done, and other political considerations," she said.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed grave concerns over the unemployment situation in Haryana during his recent Vijay Sankalp Yatra. In a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Gandhi highlighted the dire consequences of the BJP's policies on the state's workforce and overall well-being.

In his interaction with a group of women, Gandhi emphasized that the "disease of unemployment" propagated by the BJP has jeopardized the very foundation of Haryana, putting the future of its youth and the security of the state at risk. He stressed that the Congress party, if elected to power, would prioritize job creation and ensure that every family in Haryana experiences prosperity.

Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda says, "...Today Himachal has become 100% free from open defecation. I was very surprised to hear in the morning that Sukhu ji has imposed tax on toilets (seats) as well. Now what should we call this, this government has lost its mind. Tell me whether corruption has increased in this Congress government or not. The Congress Party has taken up the task of troubling you in every way."

On the second day of Sharadiya Navratri, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini of Haryana visited the Mansa Devi temple to offer prayers ahead of the state's polling. He extended his best wishes to the people of Haryana and the country, praying for their health, progress, and development.

As the BJP candidate from the Ladwa assembly seat, CM Saini urged voters to actively participate in the democratic process by casting their votes. He expressed his belief in a positive atmosphere throughout the state and commended the efforts of BJP workers in effectively communicating the party's Sankalp Patra to the people. Saini confidently stated, "We are confident that BJP is forming the government with a huge majority for the third time."

The Chief Minister emphasized the BJP's commitment to Haryana's development over the past decade, which has transformed the state into a developed region. He assured the people that the party would continue to prioritize progress and provide facilities based on their suggestions.

Earlier, CM Saini expressed his unwavering confidence in the BJP's victory in the upcoming Assembly polls, scheduled for October 5, with the results to be announced on October 8. He stated, "The people of Haryana have decided that on the 8th October, BJP is forming its government with full majority, there is no doubt about it."

On Wednesday, the Chief Minister held a roadshow in the Ladwa Assembly constituency, where he is contesting, accompanied by BJP MP Hema Malini. During the event, Saini criticized Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of spreading lies throughout the day. He asserted that the people of Haryana no longer believe in Gandhi's statements and that the state's overall sentiment favors the BJP and Prime Minister Modi.

Prior to the elections, the government announced a call for applications to fill an undisclosed number of sweeper positions. Remarkably, 1.66 lakh individuals applied, among them over 40,000 graduates and 6,000 postgraduates. It's no surprise that all political parties prioritized government jobs in their manifestos.

In an unexpected turn of events, Sonia Gandhi met with senior Congress leader Selja for half an hour on Thursday, the final day of campaigning for the Haryana assembly polls, sparking speculation on social media and within party circles.

Details of their discussion remain unclear, but Selja had expressed dissatisfaction during the campaign and initially stepped back from canvassing due to reported issues with party leader Bhupinder Hooda. Eventually, party leadership convinced her to rejoin the efforts. At a recent rally, Rahul Gandhi facilitated a gesture of unity by bringing Selja and Hooda together for a handshake.

Campaigning for the Haryana assembly elections, set for October 5, wrapped up at 5 PM on Thursday, with both the BJP and Congress making a final effort to mobilize voters, according to reports by Sat Singh. Over 2 crore voters are eligible to participate, with 1,031 candidates contesting across 90 constituencies. The Election Commission has established 20,632 polling booths for the election.

On the final day of campaigning for the Haryana elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress party, claiming it embodies "corruption, casteism, communalism, and nepotism." He encouraged voters to support the BJP for a third consecutive victory.

"Congress means a syndicate of fixers and sons-in-law," he said in an apparent reference to controversial land deals involving Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra when the party was in office during 2004-14 with Bhupinder Singh Hooda as CM.

"The main goal of father-son politics is self-interest," he said, targeting Hooda and his MP son Deepender Singh Hooda. Modi also said Congress leaders were involved in a factional fight. "People know that the party can never provide a stable govt," he added.

"People of Haryana are feeling hurt as entire state is being insulted at the behest of two families sitting in Delhi and Haryana," Modi said. Stating that people were witnessing failure of Congress govts in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, he said, "Congress's policies destroy people and that is why they do not want the party in Haryana at all."

"It is a good thing. If any person joins Congress, we welcome him... People are increasingly leaning towards the Congress party. This makes it clear that Congress party government is going to come and the wind is blowing in Congress' favour," said Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.

"We are getting much support. The people who are with me are real. All are voters of Ambala Cantt. Whereas those who are with my opponents have been brought by paying money or otherwise and from outside of Ambala. It's an election between the original and the duplicate," said Vij.

"Today Haryana is number one in unemployment and the crime rate has increased. The situation was the same before 2005 and after the Congress government was formed in 2005, we told the criminals to either give up criminal activities or leave Haryana...I want to appeal to the people to vote wisely and throw this government out," said Hooda in Karnal.

"The people have made their minds that 'middlemen and son-in-laws' time won't return to Haryana. Congress which wants to make Haryana a lab of exploitation against Dalits, people have made up their minds that they won't let them come into power and people will make the BJP govt for the third consecutive term... How India will free itself from drugs if Congress leaders are involved in it? Be it drug dealers or big mafias, Congress can shake hands with anyone to win elections...When Congress was in power, they did nothing, when PM Modi came into power three times more money was used to buy farmer's produce on MSP," said Thakur.

Addressing a public rally in Nuh, Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "...We took out a yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and wherever BJP opened 'nafrat ka bazaar' we opened 'Mohabbat ki dukaan'. We talk about love and unity, they spread hate and try to break the country...BJP and RSS are destroying the constitution...Congress is fighting an ideological war. On one side there is an ideology of destroying the Constitution, on the other side ideology of the Constitution"

Addressing a public rally in Nuh, Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says "I met some youngsters from Haryana in the US, they wanted to share their problems with me...They told me that they came to the US because we cannot get jobs in Haryana. There is unemployment and inflation in Haryana and we cannot get jobs. They came to the US with a loan of Rs 50 lakh...The BJP government has ruined Haryana...PM Modi cannot explain in his speeches how he has brought Haryana to the top of the unemployment list...PM Modi runs a government of 'billionaires'. He has waived off loans of Rs 16 lakh crore for 20-25 people. How much debt of Haryana's farmers, labourers and poor has PM Modi waived off?..."

Addressing a public rally in Kurukshetra, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says, "Haryana has seen the development works completed in 10 years under the leadership of the double engine government. Construction of highways, the progress of railways, the construction of new flyovers, development of the industrial sector, the youth got employment without 'Kharchi, Parchi'. The double-engine government is like 'Jagat Janani Maa Bhagwati' for those 'Mahishasur' who are involved in the drug trade...."

“BJP's 'Lotus’ will bloom in Haryana. Those who formed the government at the Centre will form a government in Haryana as well for the third time,” says BJP MP Anurag Thakur.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Haryana candidate from Nilokheri Assembly Amar Singh extended support to Congress candidate Dharampal for the upcoming assembly election.

In a post on X, Haryana Congress said, "The decision of @AAPHaryana candidate Amar Singh ji and his supporters from Nilokheri Assembly, led by Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Shri @Partap_Sbajwa ji, to support @INCIndia candidate Dharampal ji shows that Congress is the biggest hope of Haryana."

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, will visit Haryana on Thursday, marking the final day of the campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections. He is scheduled to address a public meeting in Nuh to support the party candidate Aftab Ahmed, who is also the current Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).

Aftab Ahmed will contest against Tahir Hussain from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Rabia Kidwai from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Sanjay Singh from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In a setback to AAP ahead of Saturday's Haryana Assembly polls, the party's Nilokheri (reserve) seat candidate Amar Singh joined the Congress on Wednesday.

Ajay Singh Chautala, the national president of the Jananayak Janata Party (JJP), urged for united backing of the JJP-Azad Samaj Party (ASP) alliance ahead of the October 5 elections. At a rally in Uchana's cotton market, he emphasized that the welfare of farmers and the working class hinges on establishing a JJP-ASP government.

Chautala also highlighted the development initiatives led by his son, Dushyant Chautala, in Uchana and throughout Haryana, calling for support to ensure his re-election. He stated, “Dushyant is committed to serving Uchana for life, and his vision for its development is already visible; it’s time to strengthen that vision.”

"Rahul Gandhi is trying to misguide the public. There has been a need for young blood in the armed forces for quite a long time. In countries like Britain, US, Israel, Russia and China, engagement with armed forces is done for small durations and keeping this in mind, after a lot of discussions, this scheme was introduced," Singh said.

"The time is ripe for 'Parivartan' in Jharkhand to safeguard 'beti, mati, roti' and combat corruption. The JMM-led coalition is playing a dangerous game, jeopardising the identity, culture, and traditions of the people while patronising infiltrators," Modi said during the concluding programme of the BJP's Parivartan Yatra, which covered approximately 5,400 km across all 81 assembly segments.

"It is Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri's birth anniversaries today. Mahatma Gandhi taught us truth and non-violence. I don't want to say this, but those in power how much truth and how much lies they speak," said Kharge addressing a poll rally at Badhra in Charkhi Dadri.

"Modi ji toh bharosa todne walo ka bhi sardar hai (Modi is the leader of those who break trust.) His numerous lies, promises, you know about it," he added.

"Before polls, he said after he is elected, he will put Rs 15 lakh in everyone's pocket," he said. "He (PM Modi) said the Congress people had stashed their black money in foreign shores and he (Modi) will bring it back and put Rs 15 lakh in everyone's pocket," he added.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged the people of Haryana to vote out the BJP in the upcoming October 5 assembly elections, framing it as a battle against injustice and wrongdoing. Speaking at a public meeting in Julana to support her party's candidate, Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat, she criticized the BJP-led government for its handling of employment, the Agniveer military recruitment scheme, and farmers' welfare. Gandhi claimed that the ruling party has "betrayed" the people at every turn.

"The opportunity has come again, similar to the battle of Kurukshetra and the fight against the British rule. There is no difference," she said.