INDIA bloc's first win in J&K, NC-Cong alliance set to form govt post-abrogation of Article 370

Srinagar/Jammu | The INDIA bloc is poised to form the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, having secured a victory in the assembly elections by securing 49 out of 90 seats on which polls were held for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 five years ago.

The National Conference (NC), the oldest regional party in J&K, emerged as the clear frontrunner, winning 42 seats and falling just six seats short of a majority of its own.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] managed to secure the single seat allotted to it under the seat-sharing agreement, while the Congress party won six seats, with five of those in the Kashmir valley.

The elections in J&K virtually turned a nightmare for the Congress as it won only one seat in the Jammu region.

The BJP also made notable gains, winning 29 seats -- its best performance in J&K to date, up from 25 seats in the 2014 elections.

Despite the defeat of J&K BJP president Ravindra Raina, the party's vote share increased from 23 per cent in 2014 to 25.64 per cent this year.

However, political analysts do not read much into the increased tally of the BJP and mainly attribute it to the recent delimitation of assembly seats in which many strongholds of the BJP were bifurcated into two like Kishtwar and Nagrota and others in Jammu district.

The NC saw a rise in its vote share as well, improving from 20.77 per cent in 2014 to 23.43 per cent this election cycle.

In contrast, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) experienced significant losses, winning only three seats compared to 28 in 2014 and witnessing its vote share drop from 22.67 per cent to just 8.87 per cent.

The Congress also faced a decline, securing only six seats -- down from 12 seats a decade ago -- with a corresponding drop in vote share from 18 per cent to approximately 12 per cent.

There are only three women winners -- Sakina Masood, Shamima Firdous (both NC) and Shagun Parihar (BJP) -- among the 90 successful candidates.

Two NC veterans -- Abdul Rahim Rather (Chrar-e-Sharief) and Ali Mohammad Sagar (Khanyar) -- have won for the seventh term as MLA in J&K.

Among the other key winners were NC vice president Omar Abdullah, J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra, PDP youth president Waheed Para and BJP leader Devender Rana.

The key losers include former deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig (Independent), Congress leader Tara Chand, PCC working president Raman Bhalla, former PCC president Vaqar Rsool Wani and NC provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani.

Omar Abdullah, a likely candidate for the chief minister's position after winning in both Budgam and Ganderbal, expressed gratitude to the electorate for their support.

"We are committed to serving the people and addressing their concerns in this new mandate," he stated.

Abdullah said many attempts were made to destroy his party over the last five years by creating new outfits which have been decimated in this election.

"There were attempts to destroy the NC over the last five years. So many parties were created here, whose only aim was to destroy the NC. But, God's grace has been on us and those who tried to destroy us, have been decimated in the process," Abdullah told reporters here after receiving his winning certificate from the returning officer for the Budgam seat.

He said the verdict has increased the party's responsibilities.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, while congratulating the NC-Congress alliance for the victory, said the Centre should take a lesson from the decisive verdict of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls and "not meddle" in the affairs of the upcoming NC-Congress government.

She said her party would play the role of a constructive opposition.

"I congratulate the NC leadership for its spectacular win. I also want to congratulate the people of J&K for voting for a stable government and not a hung assembly because the people faced several problems especially after August 5, 2019. A stable and strong government is very important for the redressal of those problems," Mufti told reporters here.

CPI(M) candidate Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami won the assembly election from the Kulgam seat in for the fifth consecutive time, defeating former member of banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Sayar Ahmad Reshi by more than 7,800 votes.

Tarigami said the trends showed that the vote of the people is against the central government and its policies.

"The writing is on the wall and the vote of the people is against the BJP government and its policies," Tarigami told PTI Videos.

The counting of votes began at 8 am at 28 counting centres for the 90 seats of Jammu and Kashmir assembly which went to polls in three phases.

INDIA bloc will stake claim to form govt in J-K only after partners elect leader of coalition: Omar

Srinagar | National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the INDIA bloc will stake claim to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir only after the alliance partners meet to elect the leader of the coalition in the assembly.

"Let the NC legislative party meet, I am not staking a claim to the chief ministership of J-K. It is for the alliance and the elected members to decide who they feel should lead the state over the next five years, and that is as far as I am willing to go," Abdullah told reporters outside his residence here.

His remarks came after his father and NC president Farooq Abdullah announced Omar would be the chief minister.

The junior Abdullah said that as grateful as he was for the vote of confidence reposed in him by the NC president, "this is a decision for the legislative party of the NC" and a decision to be taken by the allies together.

Let the party celebrate its win and colleagues heave a sigh of relief before a meeting of the NC's legislative party takes place, he added.

"In a couple of days, we will call our legislative party meet where the NC legislative party leader will be elected. Then, we will sit with the alliance to decide who will head it. Then, when we have all the letters of support, we will stake our claim to the LG for government formation," Omar Abdullah added.

The NC leader said the mandate proves that the people have voted against the BJP's politics in Jammu and Kashmir.

"There was no division of votes in Kashmir and the higher reaches of Jammu. I think the people used their vote thoughtfully. It is now the responsibility of the alliance to provide a clean government which comes up to the expectations of the people," he added.

Earlier, in Budgam, Abdullah said many attempts were made to destroy his party over the last five years by creating new outfits which have been decimated in this election.

The former chief minister won the Ganderbal and Budgam seats, defeating his nearest rivals from the PDP by over 10,000 votes and 18,000 votes, respectively.

"There were attempts to destroy the NC over the last five years. So many parties were created here, whose only aim was to destroy the NC. But, God's grace has been on us and those who tried to destroy us, have been decimated in the process," Abdullah told reporters after receiving his winning certificate from the returning officer for the Budgam seat.

"I am thankful to the voters in Budgam for voting for me, making me successful and giving me an opportunity to serve the people of J-K once again," he said.

Abdullah said the verdict has increased the party's responsibilities.

"It is our duty now to come up to the expectations of the people through our work and that is what our endeavour would be for the next five years," he added.

He also expressed gratitude to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti after she congratulated the NC for the spectacular win.

Kishtwar | Five years after losing her father and uncle in a terror attack, the lone BJP woman candidate in Jammu and Kashmir polls, Shagun Parihar, who won the Kishtwar Assembly seat on Tuesday, vowed to fight for the security of the region.

Parihar defeated veteran National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo.

Parihar is one of the 27 candidates of BJP who have won the elections on Tuesday. She is also among the three women who have won elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Parihar polled 29,053 votes, defeating Kitchloo by a narrow margin of 521 votes. She maintained a lead throughout the counting process.

Kitchloo, who previously won the seat in 2002 and 2008 and his father three times, secured 28,532 votes. PDP's Firdos Ahmed Tak received just 997 votes, forfeiting the deposit.

"I bow before the people of Kishtwar for their faith in me and my party. Their support is deeply appreciated. I am humbled by their endorsement," Parihar told reporters upon being declared elected.

She emphasised that her victory is not just hers but it also belongs to the nationalist people of Jammu and Kashmir. "It is their blessing," she added.

Ensuring safety and security will be her top priority, given the historical challenges faced by Kishtwar, Shagun affirmed.

"My message to the people is to strive for peace, progress and prosperity in the region. I will work for safety and security of the region," she stated.

Hundreds of BJP workers gathered in Kishtwar and celebrated with traditional drum beats and party flags in honour of Parihar. They also celebrated Sunil Sharma's victory in the Paddar Nagsene constituency. They chanted 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogan.

The BJP fielded 29-year-old Parihar, five years after she lost her father and uncle in a terrorist attack. Despite being involved in grassroots work as a student, she had not previously been actively involved in politics.

Currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Electronics, Parihar stressed that this election was about all families who have sacrificed for the nation, not just her own.

"My victory honours all those who have sacrificed their lives fighting terrorism and protecting the country," she added.

Parihar, who holds a Master of Technology degree in Electronics, highlighted employment as a critical issue, emphasising the need to create job opportunities for educated youth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah campaigned extensively for her, praising her commitment to the families of martyrs in the region.

Among other women candidates, former National Conference (NC) minister Sakeena Masood won D H Pura assembly segment in Kulgam district, while NC's Shamima Firdous won from Habbakadal constituency of Srinagar district.

However, Iltija Mufti, daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti lost her elections from Surgufwara-Bijbehara. Former PDP minister Asiea Naqash lost from Hazratbal seat.

Srinagar | The results of assembly elections in the Kashmir Valley have culminated in a significant rejection of separatist candidates, including those from Engineer Rashid-led Awami Ittehad Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, who failed to make a meaningful impact in the polls.

The standout performance came from Sayar Ahmed Reshi, a proxy candidate for Jamaat-e-Islami from Kulgam, and Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, brother of the Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid, who contested from Langate.

Despite their efforts, the majority of candidates associated with these groups lost their deposits, indicating a clear disapproval from the electorate.

Notably, Aizaj Ahmed Guru, brother of Afzal Guru, suffered a crushing defeat in the Sopore assembly seat, receiving only 129 votes — significantly fewer than the 341 votes cast for the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option.

The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) of Engineer Rashid had fielded 44 candidates. However, prominent figures, including his brother and spokesperson Firdous Baba, found themselves unsuccessful, with many losing their deposits.

Jamaat-e-Islami had put forward four candidates and supported an additional four, but other than Reshi, all were unsuccessful in securing even minimal support.

Despite the disheartening results, Reshi maintained a hopeful outlook, stating, "This is the start of the process. We had limited time for campaigning, but I believe we can make a difference in the future." Similarly, Talat Majid, another Jamaat candidate from Pulwama, attributed his loss to a lack of support from the Jamaat cadre, suggesting that the notion of their association with the BJP may have harmed their prospects.

"I want Jamaat's ban to be lifted so we can restore the glory that its founders had in helping people," he added.

Sheikh Ashiq Hussain, a prominent businessman and close associate of Engineer Rashid, only managed to garner 963 votes, falling short of the NOTA option, which received 1,713 votes.

Acknowledging the overwhelming support for the National Conference, he remarked, "It's not just a wave, people have voted decisively for the National Conference. Now we await to see what they deliver in return for their mandate." Another notable figure, Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, known as 'Azadi Chacha' and currently jailed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), also faced a significant defeat against National Conference candidate Omar Abdullah, barely managing to save his deposit in Beerwah.

Analysts view the election results as a clear repudiation of separatist politics, signalling a shift in the political landscape of the region.

Jammu | While the BJP on Tuesday bagged an all-time high of 29 seats in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the party's state president Ravinder Raina failed to retain his Nowshera assembly seat of Rajouri district and said he has "accepted the verdict of people".

Raina, who polled 27250 votes, lost to National Conference's Surinder Choudhary by a margin of 7,819 votes, according to data on Election Commission (EC) website.

Choudhary polled 35,069 votes.

"I have accepted the verdict of the people. I thank them for their support," Raina told PTI.

Thanking people for showing their support to the BJP, 47-year-old party leader said, "We thank the people for voting and supporting the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has achieved an all-time high with a record number of 29 assembly seats. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the electorate." "We have suffered a setback with the loss of the Nowshera constituency seat. We accept the people's verdict, but the BJP is humbled by the overwhelming result in the elections. The party has also secured the highest vote share in J-K," he added.

The BJP leader offered prayers at the historical Bawe Kali Mata temple before the start of vote counting on Tuesday morning.

Raina first entered the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly as an MLA from the Nowshera constituency at the age of 37. Prior to that, he was elected president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJP Youth Wing) at 34 and later became the president of the Jammu and Kashmir BJP at 41.

BJP has for the first time won 29 seats in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

Budgam (J-K) | National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said many attempts were made to destroy his party over the last five years by creating new outfits which have been decimated in this election.

The former chief minister won Ganderbal and Budgam seats, defeating his nearest rivals from PDP by over 10,000 votes and 18,000 votes, respectively.

"There were attempts to destroy the NC over the last five years. So many parties were created here, whose only aim was to destroy the NC. But, God's grace has been on us and those who tried to destroy us, have been decimated in the process," Abdullah told reporters here after receiving his winning certificate from the returning officer for the Budgam seat.

"I am thankful to the voters in Budgam for voting for me, making me successful and giving me an opportunity to serve the people of J-K once again," he said.

Abdullah said the verdict has increased the party's responsibilities.

"It is our duty now to come up to the expectations of the people through our work and that is what our endeavour would be for the next five years," he added.

He also expressed gratitude to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti after she congratulated the NC for the spectacular win.

The National Conference-Congress alliance is likely to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir as poll trends on Tuesday showed the combine ahead in 51 of the 90 seats while the BJP was leading in 28.

Srinagar | CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami won the Assembly election from the Kulgam seat in Jammu and Kashmir for the fifth time by defeating former head of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) member Sayar Ahmad Reshi by more than 7800 votes.

Tarigami secured 33634 votes and won the seat by a margin of 7838 votes, defeating his nearest rival Reshi, who received 25796 votes.

Reshi was contesting the polls for the first time.

The CPI(M) leader has consecutively won from the seat since 1996.

Jammu | The individual performance of the Congress in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls has hit an all-time low as only one of its 29 candidates managed to win in the Jammu region, while its prominent leaders including two working presidents lost the elections.

The Congress is fighting the elections in a pre-poll alliance with National Conference (NC) and has fielded 32 candidates, mostly in Jammu region, compared to 51 by the regional party. Additionally, the CPI(M) and the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) have each been allocated one seat while both the Congress and NC had a 'friendly contest' on five seats.

In the Jammu region, the Congress has managed to win only the Rajouri seat as against a total of five seats in 2014. The Congress's Iftikar Ahmed defeated his nearest rival, BJP's Vibodh Gupta, by a margin of 1,404 votes after securing 28,923 votes.

The NC did not field any candidate from the constituency according to the seat sharing agreement.

However, the Congress managed to win two seats in Kashmir where former minister Peerzada Mohammad Syed defeated the PDP's Mehboob Beg by a margin of 1,686 votes and former MLA Nizam-uddin Bhat won the Bandipora seat for the party.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra (Central Shalteng), AICC general secretary G A Mir (Dooru) and Irfan Hafiz Lone (Wagoora-Kreeri) are three other Congress leaders who are likely to win their seats in Kashmir valley after taking unassailable leads.

The performance of the Congress leaders in the Jammu region can be gauged from the fact that most of its senior leaders, including two working presidents, a former Pradesh Congress president and several ministers were humbled by the BJP rivals.

Prominent among those who have either lost or are trailing in the elections include working president and former deputy chief minister Tara Chand (Chhamb), working president and former minister Raman Bhalla (R S Pura), Pradesh Congress Committee president and former minister Vikar Rasool Wani (Banihal), two-time former MP Choudhary Lal Singh (Basohli), former ministers Manohar Lal Sharma (Billawar), Yogesh Sawhney (Jammu East), Mula Ram (Marh) and Mohd Shabir Khan (Thanamandi).

Jammu | Three independent candidates have so far registered victory in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, while four others are leading in various constituencies.

In Inderwal, independent candidate Payare Lal Sharma defeated veteran leader Gulam Mohammad Saroori by a narrow margin of 643 votes.

Sharma polled 14,195 votes, while Saroori, who was also contesting as an independent candidate, received 13,552 votes.

In Bani, independent candidate Dr. Rameshwar Singh defeated BJP candidate and former MLA Jewan Lal by 2,048 votes. Singh secured 18,672 votes, while Lal polled 16,624 votes.

In the Surankote assembly segment, independent candidate and National Conference rebel Choudhary Mohammad Akram defeated Congress candidate Mohammad Shahnawaz with a margin of 8,851 votes.

Akram polled 34,201 votes.

Besides them, four independent candidates -- Satesh Sharma from Chhamb, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan from Thanamandi, Khursheed Ahmed Sheikh from Langate, and Shabir Ahmed from Shopian -- are leading in their constituencies.

Counting of votes is underway in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar | Omar Abdullah will be the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, his father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah announced on Tuesday as the party looked on course to come to power in the union territory with ally Congress.

"Omar Abdullah will be the chief minister," the senior Abdullah told reporters when asked who would be the alliance's CM face.

The NC president also said the verdict was a proof that the people of J-K were against the abrogation of Article 370.

"The people have given their verdict and proven that the decisions taken on August 5, 2019 are not acceptable to them," he said. "I am thankful to everyone that the people participated in the polls and did so freely. I am grateful to God for the results." The former Union minister said the elected government would have do a lot of work to end the "sufferings" of the people.

"We have to end unemployment and address issues like inflation and drug menace. Now, there will be no LG and his advisors. Now, there will be 90 MLAs who will work for people," he said.

Jammu | The BJP has won 10 seats and is leading in 19 others in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, improving its tally compared to the last assembly polls held in 2014 when the party bagged 25 seats.

The BJP had fielded 62 candidates this time.

Former minister Sham Lal Sharma won from Jammu north seat by a margin of 27,363 votes against his nearest rival and former minister from National Conference Ajay Sadhotra. Sharma polled 47,219 votes.

Two-time MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, who joined the BJP last year, won elections from Chenani segment, defeating his nearest rival and former minister Harsh Dev Singh by a margin of 15,611 votes. Singh, who heads National Panthers Party (India), is the cousin of Mankotia who polled 47,990 votes.

BJP spokesperson Ranbir Singh Pathania overcame stiff resistance from party rebel Pawan Khajuria to register his victory by a margin of 23,49 votes from Udhampur East. Pathania.

Darshan Kumar of the BJP defeated veteran Congress leader and two-time MP Choudhary Lal Singh by a huge margin of 16,034 votes from Basohli constituency, while Garu Ram, a two-time MLA of the BJP, scored victory from Suchetgarh assembly segment by a margin of 11,141 votes.

BJP candidates Arvind Gupta and Satish Kumar Sharma won from Jammu West and Billawar segments by 22,127 votes and 21,388 votes, respectively.

The BJP has lost four seats of Surankote, Inderwal, Gurez and Lal Chowk.

Jammu | Veteran Congress leader Choudhary Lal Singh was defeated on Tuesday by BJP candidate Darshan Kumar in his traditional stronghold of the Basholi seat in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.

According to the Election Commission (EC) website, 66-year-old Lal Singh secured 15,840 votes but lost to Kumar by a margin of 16,034 votes. Kumar, who maintained a lead from the outset, garnered 31,874 votes.

BSP candidate Pankaj Kumar and PDP candidate Yoginder Singh each received 368 votes and forfeited their security deposits.

"We were confident about winning the seat and contributing to the party's majority. Voters supported our agenda of development and peace. I express my gratitude to the people of my constituency. I humbly bow before them," Kumar told reporters after his victory was declared.

Kumar, a 48-year-old businessman from Basholi, pledged to prioritise the region's development.

Three-time MLA and two-time MP Choudhary Lal Singh faced a challenging task in reclaiming his traditional stronghold for the fourth time.

Lal Singh has previously lost three consecutive general assembly elections to Union minister Jitendra Singh in 2014, 2019, and 2024. In the last Lok Sabha poll, the Union Minister secured a lead of 14,000 votes in the Basholi segment.

Starting his political career as a student leader, Singh was first elected as an MLA from Basholi in 1996. He was re-elected in 2002 and served as the Minister for Health and Medical Education in the Congress-PDP coalition government. He later won the Udhampur seat in the 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

A graduate of Jammu University with a degree in Arts, Lal Singh rejoined the Congress in March this year before the Lok Sabha elections, having left the BJP in 2018 following the Kathua rape case.

After parting ways with the BJP in 2018, he launched a movement - Dogra Subhimaan Sangathan advocating for "Dogra pride", which called for a public holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh's birth anniversary and a separate state for Jammu.

He also faces a money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate and was briefly arrested.

Srinagar | National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sakina Masood won her third assembly election from D H Pora seat in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, defeating her PDP rival Gulzar Ahmad Dar by over 17,000 votes.

Masood, alias Sakina Itto, secured 36,623 votes, 17,449 more than Dar's 19,174.

Former minister Abdul Majeed Padder secured a distant fourth place with only 2,974 votes.

This is Itoo's third win from this constituency, which was previously known as Noorabad and was redrawn and renamed after the delimitation exercise, after 1996 and 2008.

Srinagar | All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Tuesday took an unassailable lead of more than 27,000 votes against his PDP rival in the Dooru assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Election Commission of India, Mir, a former minister, has secured 41,345 votes against the PDP's Mohammad Ashraf Malik who has polled 13,731 votes.

There is just one more round of counting left.

Mir had won the seat in 2002 and 2008, but lost it to the PDP's Farooq Ahmad Andrabi in 2014.

Srinagar | National Conference (NC) leader Tanvir Sadiq won the Zadibal seat in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, defeating the People's Conference's Abid Hussain Ansari by more than 16,000 votes, according to the Election Commission.

Sadiq, who is the chief spokesperson of his party, has secured 22,189 votes, while Ansari got 6,016 votes.

Zadibal, a Shia majority seat, is a constituency in the Downtown area of the city here.

Former Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, who polled 2,700 votes, was among eight candidates who lost their security deposits.

Srinagar | Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Karra on Tuesday secured an unassailable lead over National Conference rebel Irfan Shah in Central Shalteng assembly segment, according to the Election Commission website.

At the end of the 13th round of counting, Karra had secured 18,892 votes as against Shah's 4,523 votes, a lead of 14,369 votes.

The NC and the Congress had entered into a pre-poll alliance in Jammu and Kashmir and there was a friendly contest between the two in five seats. Some leaders from the two parties, including Shah, had rebelled against their decision to join hands and contested the polls as Independents.

Srinagar | With polls trends indicating a win for the NC-Cong alliance, senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami on Tuesday said the writing is on the wall for the BJP that the vote of the people is against the Central government and its policies.

Tarigami's party is part of the NC-Congress alliance.

"The writing is on the wall and the vote of the people is against the BJP government and its policies," he told PTI Videos.

Tarigami said there has been a bureaucratic and LG rule in J-K since 2018 with no representation of the people.

"This rule has only increased difficulties. With a new secular government in place, the people of J-K will surely heave a sigh of relief," he added.

He said there is happiness all round in J-K as the elections were conducted after long and the tends were encouraging as well.

"It seems the people have taken a considered decision and voted against the rule that was here in the last few years and its policies. I hope that the secular parties are on their way to form the government," he said.

On the BJP saying that perhaps it was not the right time for the Lotus to bloom in Kashmir, the CPI(M) leader said, "I think it never will, but what is the problem in waiting".

To a question as to whether PDP president Mehbooba Mufti will be a part of the NC-Congress alliance for government formation, Tarigami expressed hope that the secular and non-BJP parties will come together.

"There is a demand from within (PDP) and their vision is also on the same lines that there should be a secular alternative. So, the PDP has a role in that," he added.

Asked about J-K LG nominating five MLAs to the assembly, Tarigami said it is "totally undemocratic".

"If the nominations are necessary, then the recommendations of the cabinet and the assembly are very important. The LG will say these are LG's nominations, but he is un-elected. This should be done on the recommendations of the elected government. But, if it is not, then it is backdoor," he said.

Srinagar | National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah secured an unassailable lead of over 16,000 votes against PDP candidate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam seat.

With just one round of counting to go, Abdullah secured 32,344 votes which was 16,294 more than Mehdi's 16,050 votes.

Abdullah, who is the front runner for the post of chief minister, is also leading from the family bastion of Ganderbal by a margin of over 5,000 votes over PDP candidate Bashir Ahmad Mir.

Srinagar | Former Rajya Sabha member and PDP candidate from the Kupwara assembly seat Mohammad Fayaz has taken an unassailable lead over his nearest rival and National Conference provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani.

People's Conference president Sajad Gani Lone, who is also in the fray from this seat apart from contesting from the Handwara seat, was a distant third, trailing Fayaz by more than 19,000 votes.

Wani has secured 17,513 votes.

Peerzada Firdous Ahmad, a close confidant of Lok Sabha member Sheikh AbduL Rashid alias Engineer Rashid, has managed only 4,499 votes against Fayaz's 26,941 at the end of nine rounds of counting.

Only one more round of counting.

Srinagar | PDP leader Iltija Mufti, who was trailing by more than 3,800 votes after seven rounds of counting, on Tuesday expressed "gratitude" to party workers and said she accepts "the verdict of the people".

The 37-year-old is in the fray from the Srigufwara-Bijbehara seat in her first assembly polls.

At the end of the seventh round of counting, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti's daughter was trailing the National Conference's Bahir Ahmad Veeri by 3,788 votes. Five rounds of counting are still to go.

"I accept the verdict of the people. The love & affection I received from everyone in Bijbehara will always stay with me. Gratitude to my PDP workers who worked so hard throughout this campaign," Iltija Mufti posted on X.

Jammu/Srinagar | The National Conference-Congress alliance is likely to form government in Jammu and Kashmir with poll trends on Tuesday showing the combine ahead in 51 of the 90 seats while the BJP was leading in 26.

Trends uploaded by the Election Commission showed that the PDP was ahead in five seats in the Union territory while the Independents are leading on seven seats.

The National Conference was leading in 41 while its ally Congress was ahead in 10 seats, the trends showed.

As the trends showed the NC ahead of its rivals, NC vice president Omar Abdullah asserted there should be no "fiddling" with the mandate of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Transparency should be there. Whatever happens should be done in a transparent manner. There should be no fiddling with the peoples' mandate. If the mandate of the people is against the BJP, then the BJP should not indulge in any 'jugaad' (machinations) or something else," Abdullah told reporters here.

"The Raj Bhavan and the Centre should accept the decision of people the way we did in the Parliamentary polls," Abdullah told reporters here.

Prominent among those leading are Omar Abdullah, Pradesh Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami and BJP's former minister Sham Lal Sharma and Devender Singh Rana.

However, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina is trailing in the Nowshera assembly constituency, while former Deputy chief minister and Congress candidate Tara Chand is behind his rivals in the Chhamb seat.

Former J-K Congress Chief Vikar Rasool Wani is also trailing from Banihal.

In the Banihal segment, former Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress president Vikar Rasool Wani is trailing NC candidate Sajad Saheen, who has polled 15,809 votes. Wani has got 9,885 votes.

Former MP and Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh is trailing the BJP' Darshan Lal in the Basholi seat.

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (India) president Harsh Dev Singh is trailing by a margin of 8,863 against BJP candidate and his cousin Balwant Singh Mankotia in the Chenani seat.

BJP candidate Shagun Parihar is leading over her nearest rival and NC candidate Sajjad Kitchloo in the Kishtwar seat. She has polled 5,899 votes.

The counting of votes began at 8 am at 28 counting centres for the 90 seats of Jammu and Kashmir assembly which went to polls in three phases.

Jammu | Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina is trailing in the Nowshera assembly constituency, while former Deputy chief minister and Congress candidate Tara Chand is behind his rivals in the Chhamb seat, according to the Election Commission website.

Former J-K Congress Chief Vikar Rasool Wani is also trailing from Banihal.

According to the trends available on the Election Commission website around 10.45 am, the J-K BJP chief has polled 5,142 votes and is trailing the National Conference's Surinder Choudhary by 7,721 votes.

Tara Chand has polled 1,728 votes in the Chhamb segment and is far behind Independent Satesh Sharma, who has got 13,434 votes, according to the trends.

The BJP candidate from the seat has polled 10,542 votes.

In the Banihal segment, former Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress president Vikar Rasool Wani is trailing NC candidate Sajad Saheen, who has polled 15,809 votes. Wani has got 9,885 votes.

Former MP and Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh is trailing the BJP' Darshan Lal in the Basholi seat.

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (India) president Harsh Dev Singh is trailing by a margin of 8,863 against BJP candidate and his cousin Balwant Singh Mankotia in the Chenani seat.

BJP candidate Shagun Parihar is leading over her nearest rival and NC candidate Sajjad Kitchloo in the Kishtwar seat. She has polled 5,899 votes.

Jammu/Srinagar | The National Conference-Congress alliance has taken lead on 46 seats in Jammu and Kashmir, while the BJP is leading on 23 seats, according to initial trends.

Trends uploaded by the Election Commission showed that the PDP was ahead in three seats in the Union territory while the Independents are leading on eight seats.

The National Conference was leading in 39 seats while its ally Congress was ahead in seven seats, according to trends uploaded by the Election Commission for 64 of the 90 seats.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), CPI(M), Peoples Conference and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) are also leading on one seat each.

Prominent among those who leading are National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah leading on both the seats, Pradesh Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami and BJP's former minister Sham Lal Sharma and Devender Singh Rana.

However, J-K BJP president Ravinder Raina is trailing by 2,797 votes to his nearest National Conference rival Surinder Choudhary from Nowshera constituency.

The counting of votes began at 8 am at 28 counting centres for the 90 seats of Jammu and Kashmir assembly which went to polls in three phases.

Srinagar | National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah Tuesday asserted there should be no "fiddling" with the mandate of people in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Centre and the Raj Bhavan must not indulge in any "machinations".

"Transparency should be there. Whatever happens should be done in a transparent manner. There should be no fiddling with the peoples' mandate. If the mandate of the people is against the BJP, then the BJP should not indulge in any 'jugaad' (machinations) or something else," Abdullah told reporters here as early trends from counting of votes showed the party ahead of the BJP and other rivals.

"The Raj Bhavan and the Centre should accept the decision of people the way we did in the Parliamentary polls," Abdullah told reporters here.

The NC leader, who is contesting the assembly polls from Ganderbal and Budgam seats, expressed hope his party's alliance with the Congress will with the polls.

"We have hopes of a win, but the rest is in the hands of God. We will come to know around the noon what the people of J-K have decided," he added.

When asked about the provision about the nomination of five MLAs by the LG, the former chief minister of the erstwhile state of J-K said the administration should await the advice of the elected government.

"Some lawyers have given their opinion. Our lawyer, who helped us win on the Ladakh (symbol) issue (in Lok Sabha election), has said the LG has no right to nominate the MLAs. This is the right of an elected government after the assembly is formed.

"This happens in Parliament as well. When Pranab Mukherjee was the President, who was made President by the Congress party, when the nominations happened, it was done on the advice of the Modi government, and he did not nominate the Congress members," Abdullah said.

"So, the LG should keep on mind the Constitution and these five seats should be filled with the advice of the elected government," the NC vice president added.

Asked about the speculations of the PDP joining the NC-Congress alliance post-poll for government formation, Abdullah said the alliance has neither sought any support, nor has it received any from the PDP yet.

"Let the results come out first. No one has numbers yet," he said.

Asked about the early trends giving a lead to his party, the NC leader said he does not go by early trends.

"Last time (in Lok Sabha polls), while I was on morning run, according to the early trends, I was winning. Then once I reached home, it changed. We will talk after lunch," he said.

Jammu/Srinagar | The National Conference-Congress alliance has taken lead on 40 seats in Jammu and Kashmir, while the BJP is leading on 20 seats, according to initial trends.

Trends uploaded by the Election Commission showed that the PDP was ahead in two seats in the Union territory while the Independents are leading on four seats.

The National Conference was leading in 33 seats while its ally Congress was ahead in seven seats.

Prominent among those leading are National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, Pradesh Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir and CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami and BJP's former minister Sham Lal Sharma.

The counting of votes began at 8 am at 28 counting centres for the 90 seats of Jammu and Kashmir assembly which went to polls in three phases.

New Delhi | Early trends from counting of votes on Tuesday showed the Congress well ahead of the BJP in Haryana, and leaving the BJP behind in Jammu and Kashmir as well.

According to TV reports, trends available from 78 of the 90 seats in Haryana showed that the Congress was leading on 48 seats -- the majority mark is 45 --while the BJP was ahead on 23. The INLD was leading on three seats, while the AAP is yet to start.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was leading from his Ladwa seta in Kurukshetra district, while Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda was ahead of his rivals in Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency in Rohtak district.

BJP leader Anil Vij was leading from his Ambala Cantt seat. Indian National Lok Dal leader Abhay Singh Chautala was ahead from his Ellenabad constituency, according to early trends.

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala's son Aditya Surjewala was leading from Kaithal seat.

Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal said three-tier security arrangements were in place at counting venues.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the trends available for 74 of the 90 seats showed, the Congress-National Conference Alliance ahead on 39 seats, while the BJP was leading in 25. The PDP was ahead on six seats and three seats were with 'others'.

Ahead of the commencement of counting of votes in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP state unit president Ravinder Raina performed a 'yagya' Tuesday morning and expressed confidence the party would secure a majority and form a government, potentially with the support of Independents.

The counting of votes in both Haryana and J-K began at 8 am.

These are early trends and the final results may vary widely.