National Conference-Congress Alliance Sweeps J&K Polls, Omar Set for CM

The National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance has achieved an absolute majority in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, securing 48 seats. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) played a dominant role in the victory, winning 42 of the seats declared on Tuesday, while Congress managed to secure only six.

Out of the 90 seats contested in the Jammu and Kashmir elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) put up a notable performance, winning 29 seats. Other parties, including Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gained three seats, while Sajad Gani Lone’s People’s Conference and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) each won one seat. Additionally, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] won one seat, and independent candidates claimed seven seats.

In terms of vote share, the BJP received 25.64 percent, followed by the National Conference with 23.43 percent and Congress with 11.97 percent. The results have positioned NC leader Omar Abdullah to become the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

This election was the first in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which led to the state’s bifurcation into two Union Territories. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah expressed gratitude to the voters and emphasized the alliance’s commitment to addressing pressing issues like unemployment and inflation. “The people have given their mandate; they have shown they reject the decision taken on August 5… Omar Abdullah will be the Chief Minister,” Farooq Abdullah stated.

The senior Abdullah also indicated that restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would be a top priority for the new government. Both the NC and Congress have signaled their intent to focus on this issue, underscoring its importance for the region’s future.

The elections were conducted in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. Meanwhile, BJP also retained its power in Haryana Assembly polls, continuing its strong presence in the national political landscape.

As the political landscape shifts in Jammu and Kashmir, the newly elected government is expected to focus on addressing the socio-economic challenges facing the region.