Srinagar , Oct 7 ( KINS) : Farooq Abdullah, the leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), announced on Monday that his party is open to support from Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), even if such backing is not necessary to form a government in the Union Territory. His statement follows reports that the PDP might be willing to align with the Congress-NC coalition.
Buoyed by favorable exit polls predicting success for the Congress-National Conference alliance, the former chief minister stressed the need for all political forces to unite in order to secure the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Even if we don’t need their support, we’ll gladly accept it,” Abdullah said, acknowledging the potential alliance with the PDP. “If we are to move forward, we must work together. The challenges facing this state are immense, and collective effort is necessary to overcome them,” he said during an interview with national news agency .
While Abdullah thanked Mufti for the gesture, he clarified that there had been no direct communication between them regarding a post-election partnership. “I extend my sincere thanks to her. We are open to rebuilding this state together, but I’ve only heard about her support through media reports,” he added.
Despite the optimistic projections for his party, Abdullah remained cautious about the exit polls, reminding that such predictions can often be misleading. “I’m not getting carried away by the exit polls—they can swing either way. The real picture will emerge once the votes are counted. We’re hopeful, however, that the NC-Congress alliance will secure a stable government in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The ongoing elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the first in over a decade, have drawn significant attention. Exit polls have indicated mixed outcomes for the key parties involved. According to a C-Voter post-poll survey broadcast by India Today, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in Jammu with 41% of the vote share, translating to 27-31 seats, while the Congress-NC coalition is projected to secure 36% of the vote with 11-15 seats in Jammu.
The PDP, however, seems to be facing significant losses, with its vote share shrinking to just 5%, potentially yielding only 0-2 seats.
The elections are being held in a restructured Jammu and Kashmir region, with 90 assembly seats post the abrogation of Article 370. Jammu holds 47 seats, while the Kashmir Valley has 43. The BJP, which has a strong base in Jammu, has seen a steep decline in support in the Kashmir Valley, where its vote share has fallen to just 3%. In contrast, the Congress-NC alliance has surged to 41%.
Exit polls suggest that the Congress-NC alliance may have an edge across the Union Territory, potentially winning between 40-48 seats, while the BJP could secure 27-32 seats. The PDP, according to projections, might land between 6-12 seats. These numbers hint at a possible hung assembly, highlighting the potential need for coalitions in the post-election landscape.( KINS)
Farooq Abdullah Calls for Unity in J&K Politics: Open to Alliance with PDP, Mehbooba Mufti
