In a significant development in Jammu & Kashmir’s first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the National Conference-Congress (NC-Congress) alliance is leading the race with 48 seats as of early counting trends on October 8, 2024. This puts the alliance just above the majority mark of 46 seats in the 90-member assembly, positioning it to form the next government.
Key Highlights:
NC-Congress Alliance: The coalition has taken a commanding lead, with former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah leading in key constituencies such as Ganderbal and Budgam. Celebrations have already started at the residences of NC leaders Omar and Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar. ( livemint )
BJP’s Performance: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trailing, with leads in about 27-28 seats. While it has performed well in regions like Jammu and parts of South Kashmir, it has struggled to make inroads in the Kashmir Valley, where the NC-Congress has dominated.
Other Players: Independent candidates are leading in around nine seats, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is currently leading in four seats. The results could signal the diminishing influence of the PDP, which once held a strong position in Kashmir politics.
Election Context:
This election holds particular significance as it is the first assembly election since Jammu & Kashmir’s special status was revoked in August 2019. The elections were conducted in three phases—on September 18, September 25, and October 1—witnessing an overall voter turnout of 63.45%. Political analysts believe this election will be a referendum on the impact of recent constitutional changes on the region.
Conclusion:
As counting progresses, the NC-Congress alliance looks set to form the next government, marking a crucial political shift in Jammu & Kashmir. The BJP remains optimistic about its chances, but as the numbers stand, the NC-Congress coalition is on the verge of securing a majority.
For live updates and in-depth coverage, stay tuned to Newspaper.
