‘NC will secure majority seats’
Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Oct 05 (KINS): In an important political analysis ahead of the much-anticipated results of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief A.S. Dulat has predicted that the National Conference (NC) is likely to emerge as the party with the maximum number of seats.
Dulat interestingly said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will struggle to form a government without the National Conference, ‘given the complex electoral arithmetic that has historically influenced election outcomes in Jammu and Kashmir’.
“Numbers have always been the decisive factor in J&K elections. While BJP may perform well in certain areas, it will not be able to form the government without the National Conference,” Dulat told news agency KINS over phone.
However, if the NAtional Conference -Congress alliance falls short of the required seats, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will not support the NC- Congress alliance, Dulat speculates that the NC might even consider an alliance with some other party, probably indicating BJP.
Beyond political predictions, Dulat pointed to the ongoing security challenges in the region as a key issue for any incoming government.
“Whichever party comes to power, they will face enormous pressure to address the security concerns. This will be the biggest challenge for the new government”.
Commenting on the future political trajectory of Jammu and Kashmir, Dulat strongly advocated for the immediate restoration of statehood.
“Restoring statehood should be the first step for the new government,” he stated. “It is essential to rebuild the confidence of the general masses in Jammu and Kashmir. Without statehood, the political and emotional disconnection between the people and the government will continue.”
Restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has been a key demand of political parties, including the Congress. Rahul Gandhi, during his visits to the region, has repeatedly assured that his party would work toward granting statehood if elected to power. The BJP too has promised for the restoration of Statehood.
“The results will be interesting,” he remarked, alluding to the potential for unexpected alliances and political realignments. (KINS)
