Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – October 7, 2024: The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) is rife with skepticism following the release of exit polls predicting a lead for the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance, but no clear majority in the recently concluded assembly elections. Various political leaders and analysts have expressed doubts about these forecasts, urging caution and advocating for patience until the official results are announced on October 8.
The exit polls, conducted after the final phase of voting, indicated a tightly contested election across 90 constituencies, with a coalition needing 46 seats to form a government. Key players in this election included the Congress-NC alliance, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), and several independent candidates.
Exit Poll Predictions
According to the exit polls, the Congress-NC alliance is projected to secure between 35 and 48 seats, yet still falling short of the 46-seat majority required to govern. The BJP is anticipated to win between 20 and 32 seats, unable to match the alliance’s performance. The PDP is expected to claim a modest share, with projections ranging from 4 to 12 seats. Additionally, smaller parties and independents are estimated to win between 6 to 16 seats, potentially positioning themselves as pivotal players in any post-election coalitions.
Omar Abdullah’s Dismissal of Exit Polls
Senior NC leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was quick to reject the importance of the exit polls, emphasizing that only the official counting results will matter. In a statement shared on the social media platform X, he remarked, “I’m amazed channels are bothering with exit polls, especially after the fiasco of the recent general elections. I’m ignoring all the noise… The only numbers that matter will be revealed on the 8th of October. The rest is just time pass.”
Abdullah’s dismissal highlights a common sentiment among political leaders who have seen exit polls misrepresent public sentiment in the past.
Analyst Insights on Political Dynamics
Political analyst Zafar Choudhary expressed skepticism about the Congress-NC alliance’s ability to form a government, despite the exit polls showing an edge. He noted, “According to three exit polls, the Congress-NC alliance will have an advantage, but they are unlikely to cross the halfway mark.” Choudhary also pointed out that while the BJP was expected to improve its performance from the 2014 elections, the Congress-NC alliance seems poised to lead the race.
BJP’s Optimistic Outlook
BJP leaders, however, remain optimistic about their party’s prospects. Engineer Rashid, an MP from the Awami Ittehad Party, echoed the sentiments of many who questioned the reliability of exit polls, insisting on waiting for the final results. He stated, “Everybody is at liberty to have an exit poll. They know better what the criteria were. Let us wait for October 8, as I’ve never relied on exit polls.”
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Conversely, Altaf Thakur, the BJP spokesperson for J-K, expressed confidence in the party’s potential performance, suggesting that exit polls indicate an increase in the BJP’s vote percentage. “According to the exit poll predictions, the BJP will win around 28-30 seats, but I feel we will secure 32+ seats in the Jammu region and also open our account in the Kashmir region,” Thakur stated.
Congress-NC’s Coalition Prospects
Congress leader Harish Rawat shared an optimistic outlook regarding the exit polls, believing that the alliance is positioned to form a strong government. He stated, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have voted for peace, security, brotherhood, development, and employment. Congress and the National Conference will together form a strong government and work for peace along with the Union government.”
Uncertainty Ahead
The prospect of a hung Assembly looms large, with uncertainty about coalition talks following the election results. A similar situation in 2014 allowed the PDP to form a government with the BJP, which ultimately collapsed in 2018. Given the projections indicating that no single party or alliance is likely to reach the 46-seat threshold, negotiations with smaller parties and independent candidates could play a crucial role in determining the next governing body of Jammu and Kashmir.
The elections, held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, have set the stage for a dramatic reveal on October 8, when the final vote count will determine the political landscape for the region in the coming term. Notably, the Congress-NC coalition has vowed to fight for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, emphasizing the revival of Articles 370 and 35A, which adds an additional layer of significance to the outcome.
