J & K VERDICT: NATIONAL CONFERENCE EMERGES AS THE SINGLE LARGEST PARTY

Today the Verdict of the recently held elections in Jammu and Kashmir has come out. It's already know to you all that the voter turn out in these elections was very high as compared to the previous elections in the state. People have voted defying the boycott call given by the separatists. This is a victory for democracy; the symbol of trust shown by the people of the state in the Indian establishment.

However, the verdict is a Hung assembly. National conference (NC) emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats. It's likely that NC is going to tie up with Congress to form the government. Congress has won 17 seats.

If we compare this election with the earlier one held in 2002, we can clearly understand the following.

BJP has dramatically increased its strength in Jammu. This is mainly due the Amarnath Land row. BJP and PDP have gained a lot from Amarnath Land Row.

PDP has increased its strength from 9 seats in previous election to 21 in the current election.

Number of seats congress has won has fallen from 20 to 17. Not too much a difference.

Independents have won 10 seats in this election while they have won 22 in the previous election.

So, NC, PDP, BJP are the parties that have improved and its the Independents and Congress that have suffered.

NC has projected Farooq Abdulla as the Chief Ministerial candidate during campagning for the elections. But in the event of an alliance, he may not head the coalation as he is unwillimg to do so. Another point is that Omar Abdulla, son of Farooq Abdulla is more acceptable to Congress than Farooq Abdulla.

So, Omar Abdulla is likely to be the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.