In the ensuing political controversy, the BJP’s Haryana unit has written to the Election Commission to reschedule the next scheduled state assembly polls on October 1 next year.
Haryana BJP chief Mohanlal Badoli made the request, citing compelling reasons such as the limitation of the voting turnout because of the calendar of holidays that may coincide with the date of voting.
Badoli, in his letter to the commission, also noted that he believed that September 28 and 29 are weekly holidays in the state and followed them by October 1, the polling day, as a mandatory off day. Besides, October 2 is a national holiday, the International Gandhi Jayanti.
Badoli also claimed that the increased holiday period may cause a large number of residents to take leave, which may drastically reduce the percentage of voters.
The BJP leader also underlined the annual fair of the Bishnoi Community, which is influential in Haryana and used to visit Mukam village in Rajasthan during the same time of the year, which also affects the voters’ turnout.
In this regard, Badoli compared this to the postponement of the Punjab Assembly elections in 2022, in which the commission rescheduled the polling date due to the festival of Eidul Azha.
But the main opposition Congress has rubbished BJP’s reasons, alleging that the ruling party wants to stall elections out of fear of loss.
Congress MP Deepinder Hooda reacted to BJP’s arguments as childish and tendering a conspiracy to delay the elections to the contrary accusing BJP of having no issue, achievements, or candidates to speak about.
That is why Hooda said that ‘Voters of Haryana are very aware. They will not go anywhere for a holiday but will come to the polling booth in large numbers to vote for the BJP. ’
The Election Commission of India, which declared the schedule of Haryana assembly elections on 16 August, is now to decide upon the BJP’s request and its implications for the voting turnout.
The choice made by the commission will be of interest because the political parties will continue to abuse each other, while the electoral relations in the state will be influenced either positively or negatively.
