Sensing resurgence in the grand old party and a good show by the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), the Congress has stepped up efforts to explore possible scenarios of forming the government in Haryana.

Party president Sonia Gandhi has spoken to Congress leader Ahmed Patel and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and has given them a free hand to work accordingly.

Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee president Kumari Selja met Patel and said that Haryana has rejected the BJP, apparently giving signals to independents and the JJP for a possible tie-up.

Selja took to Twitter and said, “Haryana is ready to embrace a new dawn of justice and equality under the leadership of Congress”and that “Haryana has given the verdict- it will not tolerate BJP’s misgovernance any more,” as early trends in counting of votes for the Assembly polls indicated a vastly improved showing by the Congress.

Haryana has given the verdict- it will not tolerate @BJP4Haryana‘s misgovernance any more.Choosing to leave behind the maladies inflicted on its people in last 5years,the state is ready to embrace a new dawn of justice &equality under the leadership of @INCHaryana.#IbbkeCongress

— Kumari Selja (@kumari_selja) October 24, 2019

She said, “Haryana has given the verdict- it will not tolerate BJP’s misgovernance any more. Choosing to leave behind the maladies inflicted on its people in last 5 years, the state is ready to embrace a new dawn of justice &equality under the leadership of Congress.

However, party General Secretary KC Venugopal is a bit cautious and waiting for the final tally, news agency IANS quoted as saying.

According to sources, Congress will only explore the option if it will have numbers enough to stake a claim but if Congress crosses the 35seat mark then it will try for any formation.

Although, Congress is keeping all the channels open with the JJP and independents who are opposed to the BJP.

Earlier in the day, Dushyant Chautala the JJP leader said that there are signs of change in Haryana, as quoted by news agency ANI.

He said (in Hindi), “We are getting love of the people of Haryana. This is a sign of change. Crossing the mark of 75 seats has failed. Now is the time to cross Yamuna” (Haryana ki janta ka pyar mil raha hai. Badlaav ki nishaani hai. 75 paar toh fail hogaya (for BJP), ab Yamuna paar karne ki baari hai).

According to the Election Commission of India, out of the 90 Assembly seats in Haryana, the ruling BJP were leading in 38 seats, eight short of the majority mark, while the Congress were ahead in 31 seats.

(With inputs from IANS)