"We were 'extremely confident' of victory; needs to introspect": Congress leader Priyank Kharge on Haryana results

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 9 : Following the Congress party's defeat in the Haryana Assembly elections, Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge stated on Wednesday that the party was "extremely confident" of victory but lost its way in certain areas.
Kharge further mentioned that the party would introspect on the Haryana election results, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, would take corrective measures.
"We were confident of winning Haryana. However, the results were not as expected, and we need to introspect. I believe Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will meet to discuss corrective actions so we can course-correct ahead of the elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. As I said, we were extremely confident of victory, and that state should have come to us. Unfortunately, we lost our way in some places. Corrective steps will be taken," said Priyank Kharge.
Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the Congress for failing to capitalise on anti-incumbency in Haryana, attributing the BJP's success to internal divisions within the Congress, which allowed the BJP to take advantage.
"...The Congress party should have taken advantage of 10 years of anti-incumbency, but due to their internal differences, the BJP benefited. If you give the BJP even a small opening in the electoral battle, they will exploit it," he said.
Owaisi further added, "After the 2024 Parliament elections, I had said that those claiming a major success based on hatred were mistaken. Who is responsible for the BJP's success? Congress, as the main opposition, had a golden opportunity to defeat the BJP but failed."
The BJP is now set to form its third successive government in Haryana, having won 48 seats in the 90-member assembly, according to results announced on Tuesday. The Congress secured 37 seats.