Going by early trends, the National Conference-Congress alliance appears to be heading to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir, while Independents and smaller parties – tagged by some as the BJP’s proxies – are failing to make a mark.
The trends will give a sigh of relief to former chief minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah, who is himself leading from both the Budgam and Ganderbal seats.
“By this time tomorrow, it will all be clear. Now if only I could go to sleep and wake up 24 hours later. I’d be a happy person, Nerves,” Omar tweeted on Monday night.
Any party or alliance needs to win 46 seats to form the government in the 90-seat assembly in Jammu and Kashmir. There has been confusion, however, over the nomination of five members.
While the National Conference-Congress alliance is inching towards the majority mark, early trends suggest that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to hold even its south Kashmir stronghold.
Festive offer
While Omar is leading from both seats, Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, is trailing behind National Conference’s Bashir Ahmad Veeri from the Bijbehara assembly segment. PDP’s youth president Waheed Parra, however, is leading in Pulwama assembly segment.
Trends also suggest that the National Conference is sweeping Srinagar city, leading in seven of the eight assembly seats of the city.