New Delhi: Following the unexpected outcome of the Haryana state elections, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has stated that the party is reviewing the results and plans to inform the Election Commission (EC) about complaints regarding the vote counting process. In his first public reaction after the election defeat, Gandhi mentioned that his party is receiving reports of irregularities from several assembly constituencies.

In an online statement, Gandhi said, "We are currently analyzing the surprising results from Haryana. We have received complaints from various constituencies and will be reporting them to the Election Commission." He also extended his gratitude to voters and party workers in Haryana, assuring that Congress remains committed to fighting for social and economic justice.

Reflecting on the election results in Jammu and Kashmir, where Congress, in alliance with the National Conference (NC), secured a resounding victory, Gandhi called it a "victory for democratic values and self-respect."

The Congress party was initially expected to perform strongly in Haryana, as indicated by exit polls, but the final results showed the party falling short. Congress ended up with 37 seats, nine short of the majority required to form the government, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 48 seats, claiming its third consecutive victory in the state. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) won two seats.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Congress raised serious concerns over the counting process. A senior leader mentioned that the results did not align with the feedback from the ground, alleging irregularities in the vote counting and the functioning of voting machines in certain districts. The Election Commission, however, dismissed a Congress memorandum that alleged delays in the updating of vote counting figures in Haryana.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing BJP workers during a victory celebration, took aim at Congress, accusing the party of attempting to discredit national institutions.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress-NC alliance secured 49 seats, with Congress winning six and NC claiming 42, while the BJP finished second with 29 seats. Rahul Gandhi described the victory as a triumph for the Constitution and democratic values in the region, offering his heartfelt thanks to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Congress party’s performance in Haryana has sparked debates about its leadership within the opposition. Some political allies, like Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction, have voiced criticism over Congress’s failure to form alliances with other opposition parties, such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in Haryana. This criticism is likely to influence seat-sharing negotiations in upcoming elections, including those in Maharashtra.