Owais Gul
Srinagar, Oct 07 : While the majority of exit polls have predicted hung assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, there is every possibility of witnessing a grand alliance in the Union Territory for the formation of next dispensation here as the leaders from major political parties have kept options open for the coalition.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the pollsters here have predicted a hung assembly, giving an edge to the National Conference-Indian National Congress alliance.
However, if the exit polls are to be believed, the alliance would be short of a couple of seats for the formation of the next dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the pollsters, the NC-Congress alliance would get around 40 seats and would need eight more seats to achieve the target of majority and form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Amidst the exit poll, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti stated that Jammu and Kashmir will never have a BJP government and expressed readiness to support the formation of any “secular Government” in J&K to keep the saffron party out of power.
“There will be a secular Government in J&K and whatever Government is formed here, PDP will be an important factor,” she had told reporters.
Moreover, National Conference (NC) President, Dr Farooq Abdullah welcomed the statement, saying that what’s wrong in having a government in alliance with PDP, saying that “we can be rivals in elections, but if the aim is same that we want the good of the people, I will have no objection and I am sure the Congress will also have the same opinion.”
Pertinently, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief, Tariq Hameed Karra had on Wednesday stated that the National Conference-Congress alliance is open to taking support of like-minded parties and individuals for government formation in the Union Territory if such a need arises.
However, NC Vice President, Omar Abdullah has dismissed alliance talks with PDP as premature. He criticised calls to delay government formation, asserting it would benefit BJP
Furthermore, Iltija Mufti, PDP leader and daughter of Mehbooba Mufti said that senior leadership will take a call on extending support to a secular front only once the results are out.
“…Let me put the record straight. PDP’s senior leadership will take a call on extending support to a secular front only once the results are out. This is our official stand,” she wrote—(KNO)
