Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) candidate Ram Kumar Gautam has defeated Haryana Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu by 12,029 votes from Narnaund constituency in Hisar district. JJP's Ram Kumar Gautam was a former BJP MLA.
Earlier in the day, Abhimanyu said that he respects the public mandate. "As per the latest trends, I feel that public mandate is in favor of Jannnayak Janta Party (JJP). We respect public mandate," he had said.
Meanwhile, Haryana BJP chief Subash Barala has resigned on Thursday after election trends showed both the ruling party and the Congress being locked in a tough contest with no one looking set to attain a majority on its own in the 90-member assembly. Barala is also expected to lose his own seat. As per the latest trends, Barala was trailing by 25,090 votes over Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) candidate Devinder Singh Babli from the Tohana seat.
BJP, which had set a target of winning 75 seats ahead of the polls, was expected to finish between 35 to 40 seats while the Congress is also expected to finish in a similar range. The fledgling Jannayak Janta Party, which fought its maiden assembly polls, is expected to take seats in double digits. If the trends hold, the JJP could likely emerge as the kingmaker and hold the key to the formation of the next government.
If current trends hold, BJP (38) is little ahead of Congress (32) in Haryana but none are in a position to form the Government on their own. JJP is leading in 10, while Independent (6), as counting progresses for the 90-member Assembly.
Asked about which party the JJP give support, he said: "It's too early to say anything. We will first summon a meeting of our MLAs, decide who would be our leader in the House and then take it further."
Dushyant Chautala took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party's "Mission 75", saying the saffron party would fall way short of their target. "People of Haryana want change," he told reporters.
Meanwhile, Khattar has attained a comfortable lead over his nearest Congress rival from the Karnal constituency.