Tue Oct 08 10:31:22 UTC 2024: ## NC-Congress Alliance Set to Form Government in Jammu and Kashmir

**Srinagar, October 8th, 2024:** The National Conference (NC) and Congress alliance is poised to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir, securing a landslide victory in the recently concluded assembly elections. Early trends indicate the alliance is leading on 47 out of 90 seats, while the BJP is currently ahead on 29 seats. The PDP is leading on 4 seats, and independents are ahead on 7.

**AAP Marks First Win in J&K**

A notable upset in the election saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secure its first victory in J&K, with its candidate Mehraj Malik defeating the BJP candidate by a margin of 4,538 votes in the Doda constituency.

**BJP Acknowledges Defeat**

Union Minister Jitendra Singh acknowledged the BJP’s defeat, stating that the Congress’ performance in J&K was similar to its recent setbacks in Haryana. He attributed the BJP’s strong showing to its focus on development, while accusing the INDIA alliance of promoting divisive politics.

**Prominent Losses for Opposition**

Senior Congress leader Choudhary Lal Singh lost his traditional stronghold of Basohli to the BJP’s Darshan Kumar. BJP president in J&K, Ravinder Raina, faces a significant defeat in the Nowshera constituency.

**PDP Chief Congratulates Alliance**

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti congratulated the NC-Congress alliance, urging the Centre to learn from the decisive mandate and allow the new government to function. She pledged her party’s role as a constructive opposition, despite facing a major setback in the polls, with the PDP currently projected to win only four seats.

**Umar Abdullah Set to Become Chief Minister**

NC leader Omar Abdullah, who secured a historic victory in the Budgam seat, is projected to become the next Chief Minister of J&K. His father, NC president Farooq Abdullah, confirmed this, expressing hope that the new government will fulfill the people’s expectations.

**A Clear Mandate for Change**

With the NC-Congress alliance securing a strong majority, the results indicate a clear mandate for a change in leadership in Jammu and Kashmir. The elections mark the first time the union territory has had an elected government since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.

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