NEW DELHI (TIP): The Election Commission is set to announce assembly polls in Haryana within the next fortnight, with polling likely to be held in mid-October in a single phase. Sources indicated that the schedule for the state poll, the first after NDA’s emphatic win in Lok Sabha elections,may be out around August 21. A separate announcement for the other three poll-bound states of Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir will follow later, possibly in late September or early October. This round of state polls will stretch over multiple phases from November to December.

According to sources, polling for the three states may begin in mid- November and conclude in the second half of December. J&K, in particular,may witness polling over seven to eight phases. The EC’s move to delink Haryana polls from the other state elections due between December 7 and January 19 was necessary as the term of the state assembly expires on October 27. Maharashtra, Jharkhand and J&K assemblies have time until December 7, January 3 and January 19 respectively.

Advancing the three state polls to match the Haryana schedule was not seen as feasible as Maharashtra, in particular, is witnessing an erratic monsoon and its impact, including flooding, may continue until October. The EC is likely to schedule the Haryana polling after October 10, and have the election process completed latest by October 20, leaving a week for government formation.

The upcoming state polls are significant as they will be the Modi government’s first test after assuming power at the Centre. For the Congress too, the polls hold special significance as the party faces a tough test in Maharashtra and Haryana due to strong antiincumbency.

The results, which are not quite expected to redeem the Congress after its drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls, are likely to pave the way for Priyanka Vadra’s political plunge after years of reluctance. Indications are that she may join the organization under her brother and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.