BJP's Haryana Hat-trick To Cast A Shadow On Maharashtra, Jharkhand Polls? Explained

New Delhi: Defying almost all exit polls, which had predicted a thumping majority for the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party has ensured a hattrick in Haryana. BJP, like a slow moving tortoise, seems to have won the race by scoring a hat-trick in bitterly-fought political 'Dangal' in the Jat land. Now, the question is will this outcome impact the upcoming state assembly elections.

BJP's Historic Haryana Hattrick With just six legislators in 2000, then two in 2005 and four in 2009, the BJP has now surged to 48 seats in Haryana, securing a hat-trick of victories in the state. This performance surpasses even its 2014 breakthrough, when the party first came to power on its own.Bucking anti-incumbency, the ruling party in the state has retained power and halted the Congress' comeback attempt in the assembly elections, the results of which were announced Tuesday.While the BJP ended up with its best-ever haul of 48 seats in the state, one more than its 2014 tally, the Congress won 37 seats and the INLD two. Three Independent candidates also tasted victory. Why Haryana Win Matters For BJP Just three months ago, BJP fell below of its target of securing 400 seats in the Lok Sabha election. Further, the BJP didnot had simple majority, forcing it to depend on allies like Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to stich a coalition government. Many dubbed it as an end of decade-long hegemony of the BJP and the rise of INDIA bloc of Opposition parties. However, the Haryana assembly election result seems to be resetting the electoral narrative in India. While election result cannot mean pan-India impact, but Haryana made the perfect ground for BJP's defeat as the party has been in power for two consecutive terms and had witnessed multiple protests - including farmers' protest and wrestlers' protest - during the tenure. Last minute changes, which includes replacing Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini, paid the party back. Will Haryana Result Impact Maharashtra & Jharkhand Polls The most immediate impact on the BJP's victory in Haryana is likely to be seen on the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Besides boosting the cadres' morale, Haryana win is also likely to influence NDA allies ahead of the crucial assembly polls. Further, the Haryana poll result may negatively impact Congress' clout, which was dubbed as a senior partner among the INDIA bloc parties. Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand state assembly are due later this year. The poll schedule is expected to be announced by the Election Commission soon. BJP, this time, is banking on Babulal Marandi's face to oust Hemant Soren-led JMM-Congress government. While the BJP is set to contest the state assembly polls in Jharkhand in alliance with the JD(U) and the AJSU party, it may consider forging a pre-poll alliance with the Union minister Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) as well.In Maharashtra, the battle is tougher as Mahayuti parties will be taking on the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance for the first time after split in Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party. Further, MVA parties including Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) have performed well in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.