August 22, 2026 02:14 am (IST)
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J&K headed for hung Assembly?
Srinagar, Dec 23 (IBNS) The fate of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly still seems undecided with no single party crossing the halfway mark even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as a major player for the first time in the state, which often bears the ravages of militancy.
In the 87-member Assembly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is leading in the race with 28 seats as the counting of votes proceeded on Tuesday.
The BJP is following shortly with its lead in 25 seats of the total 87 seats.
The National Conference (NC) of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was trailing behind them at 15, losing about 13 seats from the last time. The Congress was leading in 12 only, which is a loss of six seats from the last time.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has said all options are open for the party in Jammu and Kashmir.
"All options are open in Jammu and Kashmir," said Shah at a press conference in New Delhi, adding that the "BJP will ensure that a popular government is formed in Jammu and Kashmir and democratic process is taken forward."
Abdullah, whose National Conference lost the polls by emerging third after the PDP and BJP, on Tuesday said he is not going to approach anyone to form a government though keeping the options open while his main opponent PDP said they are also in no hurry to cobble a government.
"I am not going to pick up the phone. I am not hungry for power. I am satisfied with the performance despite floods, hanging of Afzal Guru and other factors," said Abdullah who won one seat but lost another from where he had contested the assembly polls.
While he lost from Sonwar, he won the Beerwah seat by a slender margin of 910 votes.
Abdullah, when asked if he would in no way go with the BJP, did not reply clearly and said he is waiting for other parties like PDP to explore their options.
He, however, said he is not averse to hearing other parties if they approach him.
PDP is in a dominant position to form the next government. Its president Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed said they are not in a hurry to rush with any party to form government.
She said it is time to explore what combination can take forward the plans of her party to meet the aspirations of Kashmir.
"We are in the process of exploring the possibilities and we will do what is best for Kashmir," she said.
She also thanked the government at the centre for ensuring a free and fair polls, while admitting that she had expected more seats.
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