Congress heading to power in Haryana

Congress today appeared set to retain power in Haryana with the party winning two seats and leading in over 40 constituencies, according to trends available for 88 of the total 90 seats in the state.

Om Prakash Chautala's INLD, which fared badly in the Lok Sabha elections, was leading in 20 constituencies.

Congress' Savitri Jindal, mother of noted industrialist and Lok Sabha MP Navin Jindal, retained the Hisar assembly seat by a margin of 14,728 votes. She defeated her nearest rival Gautam Sardana,(Idependent).

Venod Sharma (Congress) retained the Ambala City seat with a margin of 35,550 votes by trouncing his nearest rival Charanjeet Kaur of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal)Congress leads in 31 constituencies in Haryana.

Of the 67 seats for which trends were available Congress, which needs 45 seats to retain power, was leading in 31 seats and Om Parkash Chautala led INLD, which faired badly in the recent Lok Sabha elections, was leading in 18 constituencies.

The nominees of HJC-BL, BJP and BSP were leading in two seats each and SAD in one constituency. In the remaining 11 constituencies Independents had got the lead.

Chautala had a narrow lead of around 1200 votes ffrom Uchana Kalan over Finance Minister Birendra Singh. The INLD Chief, however, was trailing at Ellenabad behind Bharat Singh Beniwal (Congress).

Chautala's son Ajay was trailing behind his cousin K V Singh from Dabwali constituency while his younger brother Ranjit Singh contesting as a Congress nominee was trailing behind Krishan Lal (INLD) from Rania.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was leading over Satish Kumar (INLD) from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi in Rohtak district. Power Minister Randeep Surjewala was leading over Kailash Bhagat (INLD) from Kaithal.

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh's father Yograj (INLD) was trailing behind D K Bansal (Congress) from Panchkula while HJC-BL President Kuldeep Bishnoi was ahead over Krishan Gopal Tyagi (INLD) from Adampur.