NC-Congress alliance wins 49 seats in JK, end six-year wait for elected Govt

Srinagar: The vote count for Jammu and Kashmir’s 90 assembly constituencies concluded on Tuesday, with the National Conference-Congress alliance winning 49 seats, surpassing the majority mark of 46. This election marks the end of a process aimed at establishing an elected government after six years, following the collapse of the PDP-BJP coalition in June 2018 and the subsequent revocation of Article 370.

The election, the first since 2014, was held in three phases: September 18 (24 seats), September 25 (26 seats), and October 1 (40 seats). The main contenders were the Congress-National Conference alliance, PDP, and BJP. The election comes five years after Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said his party is open to collaborating with Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP if necessary to form a government. He also criticised the decision to grant the Lieutenant Governor the power to nominate members to the five reserved assembly seats, stating that the NC would challenge it in the Supreme Court. Adding these members would increase the Assembly’s strength to 95, raising the majority mark to 48.

Election Commission officials ensured a three-tier security setup at all counting centres in the volatile region, known for its history of conflict and cross-border tensions.

Seven independents emerge victorious

Seven independent candidates hold key as they emerged victorious from different seats across Jammu and Kashmir in the recently concluded assembly polls.

LG congratulates newly elected members

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha congratulated newly elected members to legislative assembly, stating that the peaceful electoral process and participation of millions of voters is testimony to vibrant democracy and people’s faith in democratic values of the country.

In a post on X, LG Sinha, said, “My heartiest congratulations to all the members elected to Legislative Assembly and NC-led alliance for victory in polls. Best wishes to them in the service of people. Constitution of India is our guiding light & I urge all to work together for growth of J&K & welfare of people”.

The LG thanked the people for empowering and strengthening democracy in J&K. “I laud the efforts of CEO J&K, EC officials, JKP and security forces for working tirelessly and diligently to uphold the sanctity of the ballot and successfully completing transparent, free & fair election,” he said.

PCC chief visits Abdullahs’

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra today visited the Abdullahs’ to extend greetings on behalf of Congress party for National Conference’s clean sweep in the Assembly polls. He said there would be discussions on contentious issues like Article 370 with the NC and Congress leadership in future.

“I had only come to see Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah to extend greetings on behalf of the Congress party. As already stated by Omar sahab, NC will hold a legislature party meeting first and then a meeting with Alliance where the model of governance will be discussed,” said Karra while speaking to reporters outside the Gupkar residence of Abdullahs, as per news agency Kashmir News Observer.

People have spoken through votes: Tariq Hameed Karra

Former Lok Sabha MP and chief of Jammu and Kashmir Congress, Tariq Hameed Karra said that people of Kashmir have answered the “hate politics of BJP by voting against them.”

Speaking to the reporters at SKICC outside the vote counting station, Karra said, “The people here are aware about the atrocities committed by the BJP in past more than five years by voting against them.”

Fall of PDP

In the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) achieved a remarkable success, securing 28 seats and becoming the largest party in the state. However, the party has faced numerous setbacks over the past decade, resulting in a dramatic decline in its fortunes.