Haryana's Political Arena Heats Up as BJP Uses Congress Infighting to Counter Vote Theft Claims

A fierce political firestorm has erupted in Haryana, where internal divisions within the Congress party have provided ammunition for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has seized upon a purported statement by senior Congress leader Kumari Selja, who allegedly expressed doubts about her own party's victory prospects in the state, to launch a blistering counter-offensive against Congress's accusations of "vote theft."In a direct rebuttal, BJP National Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi stated that the Congress only questions the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and constitutional bodies when it foresees an electoral defeat. He argued that Selja's comment is an admission of their impending loss in Haryana.Trivedi accused the opposition of maintaining double standards, suggesting they conveniently praise the electoral process upon winning but are quick to blame the machines and institutions when they lose.The Congress party promptly responded to these allegations. Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate defended Selja, asserting that her statement was being distorted and manipulated by the BJP for political gain. Firing back, Shrinate accused the BJP of engaging in "vote theft" themselves, pointing to the widely reported irregularities in the Chandigarh Mayor elections as clear evidence of their misconduct. She conveyed confidence that the electorate sees through the BJP's strategies and will hold them accountable.This public confrontation has laid bare the deep-seated tensions within the Haryana Congress and has escalated the political rhetoric between the two national parties. The BJP is strategically using the episode to portray the Congress as a divided house, plagued by infighting and defeatism, thereby deflecting from the serious allegations leveled against it. For the Congress, the incident highlights the challenge of maintaining unity while trying to build a credible opposition narrative. The ongoing feud threatens to influence voter perception, with analysts noting that such internal conflicts could significantly benefit the BJP in future electoral contests.