With just six legislators in 2000, then two in 2005 and four in 2009, the BJP has now surged to 48 seats in Haryana, securing a hat-trick of victories in the state. This performance surpasses even its 2014 breakthrough, when the party first came to power on its own. Bucking anti-incumbency, the ruling party in the state has retained power and halted the Congress' comeback attempt in the assembly elections, the results of which were announced Tuesday. While the BJP ended up with its best-ever haul of 48 seats in the state, one more than its 2014 tally, the Congress won 37 seats and the INLD two. Three Independent candidates also tasted victory. The BJP had contested 89 of the 90 seats in Haryana this time. It did not contest the Sirsa seat, from where its ally Gopal Kanda was the sitting MLA. Kanda, however, lost his seat. Before 2014, the BJP was restricted from playing second fiddle, mainly to parties like the INLD and then Bansi Lal-led Haryana Vikas Party (now merged with ...