The Peoples Democratic Party has landed itself straight into the numbers game in Jammu and Kashmir, a day before votes are counted and the results of the assembly elections declared on Tuesday (October 8).
There is much buzz that the Mehbooba Mufti-led party will extend support to the Congress-National Conference alliance. Calling it “unnecessary speculations”, however, it dismissed the buzz over the matter.
The BJP, meanwhile, remained confident that it will be the single largest party in the region by securing 35 seats and will form the government with the help of like-minded and independent candidates.
On October 5, exit polls predicted that the Congress-NC alliance will have an edge in J&K with 30 to 40 seats but this may result in its falling short of the majority of 46 required in the 90-seat assembly. Observers said in such a case, the alliance may seek the support of the PDP or the Independents.
What is the PDP saying?
The PDP has clarified its stand on joining the Congress-NC alliance and said its senior leadership will take a call after the election results are announced. “Unnecessary speculations. Let me put the record straight. PDPs senior leadership will take a call on extending support to a secular front only once the results are out. This is our official stand,” said PDP’s media adviser Iltija Mufti.
According to most exit poll predictions, the PDP may get anywhere between four and seven seats with some also giving it at least 11. The party had won the 2014 elections in the erstwhile state in an alliance with the BJP. The saffron party withdrew its support to the PDP in 2018, after which governor’s rule was imposed, subsequently followed by the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
What is the BJP saying?
Pollsters have predicted that the BJP may end up with an impressive 30 seats while the Independents may surpass the PDP with at least 11 seats and play the “kingmaker” role in the formation of the government.
J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina on Monday said his party will emerge as the single largest party in the region by securing 35 seats and will form government with the help of like-minded and independent candidates.
He said the “BJP has supported 15 independent and like-minded candidates, but we have no ties with Engineer Rasheed’s party. They (Independents and like-minded groups) will score a victory. We will be the largest voted party in Jammu and Kashmir”. The party is holding a crucial meeting at its headquarters, with senior leaders Tarun Chugh and Ram Madhav participating.
“We are confident of winning 35 seats in Jammu and Kashmir, and with the support of independents and like-minded groups, who will secure around 15 seats, we will cross the majority mark of 50 to form the government,” told reporters. “The people have voted for us, endorsing our vision for development and peace.”
Raina further said the BJP is set to perform exceptionally well and “the overwhelming public support for our party, demonstrated by the large crowds at rallies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah clearly indicates that people have voted for the BJP”. The Congress will suffer a “crushing defeat” in these elections, making BJP the single largest party, he said.
(With PTI inputs)
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