Haryana Assembly Election date postponed: Bishnoi community and BJP welcome decision

New Delhi, Sep 1 2024 :  The Election Commission of India has announced a revision in the date for the Haryana Assembly elections, moving it from October 1 to October 5. The decision was made to accommodate the Bishnoi community’s significant annual festival, which falls on October 2. The Bishnoi community, which has long upheld a tradition in honor of Guru Jambheshwar, expressed its gratitude for the rescheduling. Som Prakash Bishnoi, vice president of the Akhil Bhartiya Bishnoi Mahasabha, commended the Election Commission’s decision, emphasizing that the original poll date conflicted with their important festival. He highlighted that the festival, celebrated by lakhs of community members, requires up to 20 days of preparation and participation. The rescheduled date alleviates concerns that community members might have been unable to vote or partake in the festivities.

The Haryana Assembly elections were initially set to coincide with the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections. However, the Election Commission’s move to postpone the Haryana elections ensures that both the voting rights and cultural practices of the Bishnoi community are respected. The festival, which draws families from Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana to their ancestral village Mukam in Bikaner, is a major event, with many expected to start their travels a day before the festival. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) had both supported the request for rescheduling. The BJP had expressed concerns that the long weekend around the original polling date might lead to decreased voter turnout as people might be away. Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli and former Home Minister Anil Vij both welcomed the new poll date, thanking the Election Commission for addressing their concerns.

In response to remarks from Congress leaders suggesting that the BJP’s request for postponement indicated a pre-election defeat, Badoli defended the party’s position. He criticized Congress for allegedly undermining democratic processes and emphasized that the BJP’s request was based on ensuring maximum voter participation. The BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term in Haryana, while the Congress seeks to regain power in the state. The revised election date allows for greater voter participation and respects the cultural traditions of a significant community in the region.