Jammu Kashmir Election Results 2024 Live: Look forward to a constructive relationship, says Omar Abdullah

After leading the National Conference (NC) to victory in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, party vice-president Omar Abdullah, 54, is set to take over as the J&K Chief Minister. The NC-led alliance secured 49 seats out of 90, with the NC winning 42 seats and the Congress just six. Omar bagged both the Kashmir constituencies — Budgam and Ganderbal — from where he contested. In an interview with The Indian Express, he spoke on various issues ranging from takeaways from the poll outcome to his party’s roadmap ahead. Read the interview here

A total of 68.53 per cent candidates including almost all of the PDP and BSP, in 43 assembly segments of Jammu region, forfeited their security deposits. These candidates could not secure a minimum of one-sixth of total valid votes and hence lost their security deposits, reported PTI.

More than a decade since its last Assembly elections, and after more than six years under President’s Rule, Jammu and Kashmir finally has a new government, set to be helmed by the National Conference (NC) in alliance with the Congress.

While the Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the last party to lead a J&K government, results of the past two Lok Sabha polls had indicated that the Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) was in the ascendant. The rise of the BJP in the Union Territory was also clear, as well as the decline of the Congress and PDP.

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ONE OF THE most evocative images in the Assembly elections is that of former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah holding out his signature sozni cap in his hand at a campaign event in Ganderbal. Speaking in Kashmiri, the usually stoic Omar, humbled by the Lok Sabha defeat in the Baramulla seat, urged voters for “a chance to serve them”.

On Tuesday, Omar secured decisive victories in both the central Kashmir constituencies — Budgam and Ganderbal — from where he contested. Thanking the voters after the results, he said, “After 2018, a democratic set up will take charge in J&K. The BJP took aim at political parties from Kashmir, especially the National Conference, and tried to weaken us and attempted to create parties against us; these have been decimated in this election.”

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JKNC leader Sheikh Bashir Ahmad says, "I thank the public of J&K for voting for the JKNC-Congress in large numbers...Tomorrow the legislative party meeting will be held and the leader of the house will be chosen and then the claim to form the government will be submitted...National Conference will respect the mandate of the public and ensure the development of all the regions". (ANI)

Congress will have to delve deep to find reasons for its loss in Haryana: NC leader Omar Abdullah

On the results of the assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says, "... Both states have their own importance, but Jammu and Kashmir was most important for the BJP... They lost from the place (Jammu and Kashmir) where they had removed Article 370... INDIA alliance could not win in Haryana because the Congress felt they would win on their own and they did not need any other partner in power.

Congress leader Hooda Ji felt we would win. If they (Congress) had shared seats with the Samajwadi Party, AAP or other smaller parties, the results would have been different. The way the BJP fought the elections is very good. BJP won a lost battle..." (ANI)

Former J&K Deputy CM and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta says, "As PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have said that statehood will be restored in Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time... Congress has won only one seat in the Jammu region.

They have lost very badly... They have always tried to mislead the public. Congress has always discriminated against the Jammu region and the public has given them a befitting reply. Congress always depends on its allies... Many Congress leaders have also left the party. Congress is not able to revive out of its love for 'family'..." (ANI)

On swearing-in ceremony, JKNC vice president & newly-elected MLA, Omar Abdullah says, "...No such decision has been taken yet. These things are done democratically.

A Legislative Party meeting will be held. I was speaking with the party president Farooq sahab yesterday, we have decided that tomorrow a Legislative Party meeting will be held, it will be followed by an Alliance meeting.

The Alliance will elect its leader and after that, we will go to Raj Bhavan to stake the claim...I hope that it is done in the next fee days." (ANI)

BJP leader NV Subhash remarked that the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana have expressed their trust in Prime Minister Modi's leadership. "After the abrogation of Article 370, free and fair elections were held in J&K... We (BJP) have made a remarkable performance in J&K. In Jammu, almost the majority of the seats have been won by the BJP," he said.

He also emphasized BJP's continued success in Haryana, stating, "BJP has formed the government in Haryana for the third time." Subhash further criticized Congress' narrative, adding, "Congress created a narrative of the jawan, Kisan and Pehalwan. People rejected the seven guarantees of the Congress party."

He concluded by asserting that the public is prioritizing development, which will have an impact on the upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Delhi. (ANI)

"I am very thankful to the people and voters of Jammu and Kashmir for using their vote despite the fact that democracy wasn't allowed to grow here during the last 8-10 years. National Conference alliance (with Congress) got majority.

Voters used their vote very thoughtfully particularly in the regions where a conspiracy was hatched to divide the votes through Independent candidates and smaller parties. Voters have performed their duty, now our responsibility begins," JKNC vice president says Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) on Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election results.

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. The Congress won 6 seats. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has congratulated the National Conference-Congress alliance for its victory in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election and said that the alliance's mandate is for restoring the "dignity" and statehood of Jammu and Kashmir that the Union government "unjustly stripped away."

"Congratulations to the JKNC-INC alliance and the people of Jammu & Kashmir on the stupendous victory! This is more than just a win for #india and democracy--it's a mandate to fulfil the aspirations of restoring the dignity and statehood of Jammu and Kashmir that the Union BJP Government unjustly stripped away," Stalin posted on X.

Omar now faces the huge challenge of administration, particularly since J&K is now a Union Territory with the Lieutenant Governor wielding most powers including the formal control of J&K Police, and transfer/ posting of government officers. “I would like to believe the honourable Prime Minister who has committed to restoring statehood. I don’t recall a speech where he said statehood would be restored only when the BJP is in power, or that if the people of J&K do not vote for the BJP, they will be punished.”

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After winning both Budgam and Ganderbal in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that he expects Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do the "honourable thing" by returning statehood to J&K, news agency PTI reported. "A lot of things can be done as a Union Territory, clearly some things can't but we expect that J&K will not remain a UT forever. We expect the honourable PM will do the honourable thing and return statehood to JK at the earliest and then the rest of our manifesto will be implemented," Omar told PTI.

The NC Vice President further said that "the prime minister, the home minister, they are all honourable men", who in their speeches and interventions in Parliament, and through their representative in the Supreme Court, had "promised restoration of statehood".

Omar emphasised that the new government in J&K "cannot afford an antagonistic relationship with the Central government", as per PTI. "Once the new government is in place, whoever the chief minister of J-K is, I would expect them to travel to Delhi to meet the PM, the home minister and other leaders to impress upon them that the mandate of the people of J-K was for restoration of statehood, was for development and peace and whoever the CM is, I hope they are able to establish a decent working relationship with the GoI," the MLA-elect said.

Mehbooba Mufti's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) managed to secure only three seats as the counting of votes for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded Tuesday. Among the high-profile losses was that of Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti from Srigufwara-Bijbehara and Mufti’s uncle Sartaj Madni from Kulgam. Other senior leaders such as Abdul Rehman Veeri and Mehboob Beig lost from Anantnag East and Anantnag respectively.

In 2014, the party, which had won 28 seats, emerged as the single largest and formed the government with the BJP. Ten years down the line, the party has put up its worst performance since its inception in 1999. After the poll verdict, Mufti conceded defeat and congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir for “voting for a stable government”. The National Conference-Congress alliance bagged 48 seats, securing the majority to form government.

The PDP won only Pulwama and Tral of the 16 seats in its South Kashmir bastion. While PDP youth wing president Waheed ur Rehman Para won from Pulwama, Rafiq Naik secured the Tral seat. In a third win, PDP's Fayaz Ahmad Mir defeated NC provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani and Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone. Read Bashaarat Masood's report here

Praising the successful conclusion of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole on Tuesday said that it was a "significant moment" in the Union Territory's democratic process. "This marked the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014, drawing considerable attention and participation from the public,” PTI quoted Pole as saying. In a statement, Pole said that the record-breaking voter turnout re-affirmed the public's faith in democratic institutions.

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that he was not staking claim to the chief ministership of Jammu and Kashmir. "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," PTI quoted Omar as saying.

Omar's remarks came after NC chief and his father, Farooq Abdullah, said that he would become the chief minister. Omar said that the NC legislative party leader would be elected at a meeting in a couple of days. " Then, we will sit with the alliance to decide who will head it," the NC Vice President said. He added that once they have all letters of support, the alliance would stake their claim to the LG for government formation.

Three women emerged victorious in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on Tuesday. This includes former minister and National Conference leader Sakeena Masood and lone BJP female candidate Shagun Parihar. Parihar won from the Kishtwar assembly segment, defeating veteran National Conference leader and former minister Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo. Meanwhile, Masood won by a margin of 17,449 votes in the D H Pora Assembly seat in Kulgam district , defeating Gulzar Ahmed Dar. NC's Shamim Firdous defeated BJP candidate Ashok Kumar Bhat to win the Habbakadal seat of the Srinagar district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that he was proud of the BJP's performance in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. "I thank all those who have voted for our Party and placed their trust in us. I assure the people that we will keep working for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir," Modi posted on X. He also appreciated the saffron party's Karyakartas for their efforts. As the counting of votes concludes, Modi congratulated the National Conference (NC) for its "commendable performance". The NC secured 42 seats in the assembly polls. The NC-Cong alliance won 48 seats in total, crossing the majority mark.

As the counting of votes for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concludes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said that the polls were "very special". "They were held for the first time after the removal of Articles 370 and 35(A) and witnessed a high turnout, thus showing the people’s belief in democracy," Modi posted, complimenting the residents for the Union Territory.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday expressed gratitude to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the BJP's top priority was to make the Union Territory "terror-free and developing it like other parts of the country". " The people of Jammu and Kashmir have blessed the BJP with the highest percentage of votes in this assembly election and have given the BJP the highest number of seats in its history so far. For this, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Shah posted on X. He further added that the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is "committed to the development and security of Jammu and Kashmir".

The National Conference-Congress alliance is set to form the government in J&K, with 48 seats. The NC has won 42 seats and the Congress has bagged six. Meanwhile, the BJP secured 29 seats, its highest ever in J&K.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that in Jammu and Kashmir, "under the Congress rule, there was only reign of terror and democracy". "... under the BJP rule, the great festival of democracy was celebrated with full pomp and peace," Shah said in a post on X.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir remember the 1987 assembly elections very well, when the Congress made a mockery of democracy by openly rigging the elections," the Home Minister said. He added that now, democracy has been revived in the Kashmir valley, where "people elected their representatives without any terror and panic".

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said that the priority for the party's alliance with the National Conference would be the restoration of statehood. " "People of Jammu and Kashmir have given a clear decisive and convincing mandate to the National Conference-Congress alliance," news agency PTI quoted Ramesh as saying.

BJP's lone woman candidate in Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections Shagun Parihar won the Kishtwar seat, defeating veteran National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo by a narrow margin of 521 votes . Parihar lost her father and uncle in a terror attack five years ago.c

"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," PTI quoted Parihar as saying after the victory. Parihar further said that she will work for the "safety and security of the region".

With the National Conference-Congress alliance crossing the 46-seat majority mark, NC chief Farooq Abdullah, and his son and party vice president Omar Abdullah, greeted supporters. "No one can deny that people of Jammu and Kashmir have shown love to the National Conference, and whatever that was left made up by our alliance partners," PTI quoted Omar as saying after his victory in both Budgam and Ganderbal seats.

Express photos by Shuaib Masoodi

After losing the Nowshera seat to National Conference candidate Surinder Choudhary, BJP Jammu and Kashmir chief Ravinder Raina said that he had "accepted the verdict of the people", news agency PTI reported. "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," Raina said.

Calling the loss in Nowshera a "setback", Raina said that the BJP was still "humbled by the overwhelming result in the elections". "The party has also secured the highest vote share in J-K," he added.

National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that those who had tried to destroy his party were nowhere to be seen today. He said that efforts were being made over the last five years to "destroy" the NC.

With the NC-Congress alliance reaching the majority mark, Omar emphasised that this increases his party's responsibility. “Now it is our duty to prove worthy of these votes. This will be our effort for the next five years," Omar said. The NC Vice President won both Budgam and Ganderbal seats. With the party's alliance with Congress set to form government in the Union Territory, NC chief Farooq Abdullah said that Omar "will become the CM".

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah won the Ganderbal assembly seat by a margin of 10, 574 seats. He defeated PDP's Bashir Ahmad Mir. Omar, who was contesting from two seats, had earlier won the Budgam assembly segment too. Soon after his victory in Budgam, his father and NC chief Farooq Abdullah said he “will become the CM”.

Having won 45 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the National Conference-Congress alliance is inching closer to the 46-seat majority mark. The NC has won 39 seats and is leading in three, while the Congress has secured six seats. The BJP has won 27 seats and is leading in two, while Mehbooba Mufti's PDP has taken three seats. The Jammu & Kashmir People Conference and Aam Aadmi Party have secured one seat each.

With the National Conference-Congress alliance in Jammu and Kashmir in the lead, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti Tuesday said that the Centre should take a lesson from the decisive verdict and "not meddle" in the affairs of the upcoming government in the Union Territory.

"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," PTI quoted Mufti as saying.

Mufti's party, the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party, has won three seats till now.

Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina lost the Nowshera seat to National Conference candidate Surinder Choudhary, who won by a considerable margin of 7,819 votes.

Senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami defeated Jamaat-e-Islami backed candidate Sayar Ahmad Reshi to win the Kulgam assembly segment for the fifth consecutive time. Tarigami's party is a part of the NC-Congress alliance.

Three Independents have been declared victorious, while four others are leading in their respective constituencies in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. In Inderwal, independent candidate Payare Lal Sharma, who secured 14,195 votes, defeated veteran leader Gulam Mohammad Saroori by a narrow margin of 643 votes. Saroori was also contesting as an Independent.

Independent candidate Dr. Rameshwar Singh defeated BJP candidate and former MLA Jewan Lal in Bani by 2,048 votes. In Surankote, Independent candidate Choudhary Mohammad Akram defeated Congress candidate Mohammad Shahnawaz.

The National Conference has won 24 seats and is comfortably leading in 17 others, as per the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, the BJP at second spot has won 17 seats and is leading in 12 others.

Three Independent candidates have been declared winners so far inclusing Inderwal, Bani, Surankote.

The PDP has own three seats and the Congress has bagged two seats.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said her party will play the role of a "constructive opposition". This comes after her party recorded its worst performance since it was founded in 1999.

Her daughter Iltija Mufti conceded defeat earlier in the day even as the rounds of counting for the seat in Bijbehara were ongoing.

As of now, PDP has won two seats of Kupwara and Pulwama.

PDP's poll performance

In its first electoral fight in 2002, the party had won 16 seats, followed by 21 seats in 2008 and 28 seats in 2014. The party has failed to make a mark in its south Kashmir stronghold as well where it is leading only on two out of 11 seats. One of the reasons for PDP’s dismal performance is the perception in the valley that the party can’t come to power and it is better to rally behind an alliance - National Conference-Congress alliance - that has better chances to win. The PDP’s alliance with the BJP in 2014 that was seen as a betrayal of the popular vote in Kashmir has also contributed to the PDP’s worst ever performance.

After AAP made a surprise entry by winning a maiden seat in Jammu and Kashmir, party chief Arvind Kejriwal has congratulated Mehraj din Malik, the party candidate from the Doda seat for the "landslide victory". 

"You fought a very good election. Congratulations to the entire Aam Aadmi Party on getting an MLA in the fifth state," Mr Kejriwal posted on X on Tuesday afternoon.

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah has won the Budgam assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir, defeating the PDP's Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi by a margin of more than 18,000 votes. He is also leading from the family bastion of Ganderbal.

The favourable results for Omar come after a Lok Sabha poll debacle as he lost the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat. He was defeated by independent candidate Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid.

Now, NC chief Farooq Abdullah who is poised to form the government in alliance with the Congress backed for Omar to be the next CM of the UT which is going to get its first elected government since 2019

National Conference has won 3 seats in Gurez (ST), Hazratbal and Zadibal

BJP has won 5 seats in

Chenani

Udhampur East

Billawar

Basohli

Jammu West

While BJP has failed to open its account in the valley and its candidate in Gurez Faqeer Mohammad Khan, who had the maximum prospects, has lost to National Conference’s Nazir Ahmad Khan, it has made a strong presence in Jammu leading on 25 seats there. The National Conference has managed to spread its base in Jammu as well and is leading on eight seats in the Jammu region and 32 in the Kashmir valley.

National Conference's Salman Sagar has won the Hazratbal assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir. He got over 18,000 votes and defeated his PDP rival by a margin of 10,295 votes.

The BJP bags another seat with Ranbir Singh Pathania winning the Udhampur East seat by 2,349 votes.

Congress MP and communication in charge Jairam Ramesh alleged that pressure was being exerted on local administration and that the results for 10-12 rounds have come, but the update on ECI website and (TV) channels is only for four-five rounds”.

“We are submitting a memorandum in the next five-six minutes. We hope the ECI answers our questions. Because the results for 10-12 rounds have come. But the update on ECI website and (TV) channels is only for four-five rounds. This is a way to keep pressure on the administration. This happened in the Lok Sabha polls too, and we had gone to the ECI and it took action. Pressure should not exerted on local administration like this,” Ramesh told ANI.

In a post on social media, Ramesh wrote: “Like the Lok Sabha results, the election trends in Haryana are also being deliberately shared slowly on the Election Commission's website. Is the BJP trying to put pressure on the administration?”

The Election Commission of India has begun declaring results for the J-K Assembly polls. Starting off, th BJP and the National Conference have won one seat each.

While BJP's Darshan Kumar won by over 16,000 votes from Basohli against Congress' Choudhary Lal Singh, NC's Nazir Ahmad Khan won by a margin of 1,132 votes from Gurez (ST). Gurez was the only likely seat through which the BJP could have made a dent in the Kashmir Valley.

Shortly after PDP's Ilitja Mufti accepted defeat in Bijbehara constituency to NC candidate, Independent candidate Junaid Mattu contesting from Zadibal assembly constituency has conceded defeat.

“The half-way trends indicate a very clear verdict from the people from Zadibal. My heartiest congratulations to @tanvirsadiq for a stellar performance.My gratitude to the people of Zadibal, especially those who reposed their faith in me. And to my associates. Alhumdulilah!,” Mattu, the former Mayor of Srinagar, posted on X.

In Udhampur West, BJP has a solid lead as per early trends, Meanwhile, former BJP leader Pawan Khajuria is leading in Udhampur East. Khajuria, who quit the BJP after he was denied the ticket, was leading by 1,816 votes against BJP’s RS Pathania.

The predominantly Hindu inhabited Jammu districts of Samba, Kathua and Udhampur, which encompass 24 Assembly seats, are likely to play a key role in government formation. Here's a look at the figures as per current trends on the ECI website. The BJP which was banking on these areas seem to be poised for wins

Samba: BJP's Surjit Singh Slathia leading

Udhampur West: Pawan Kumar Gupta (BJP) in the lead

Kathua: BJP's Bharat Bhushan

The BJP failed to open an account in the Kashmir Valley trailing even in the only possible seat of Gurez, as per early trends. However, in the lead up to poll counting day, the party was seen as the main contenders in the Jammu division.

The party contested all 47 seats in Jammu province. It is said to be heavily banking on the votes of the Pahari ethnic group and the Padari tribe, which were granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status earlier this year.

Peoples Democratic Party candidate and daughter of Mehboob Mufti, Ilitja Mufti was trailing in the Bijbehara seat since the time vote coutning began this morning. After 6 of 12 rounds of voting, the Iltija who was behind by about 4334 votes as of 11 am has conceded defeat.

"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," she said in a post on X.

National Conference's Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri is leading in Bijbehara Assembly constituency.

- BJP chief Ravinder Raina is trailing in the Nowshera assembly constituency,

- former Deputy chief minister and Congress candidate Tara Chand behind in the Chhamb seat

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

- Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (India) president Harsh Dev Singh is trailing in Chenani

- PDP's Iltija Mufti trailing in Bijbehara

- Sajad Lone trailing in Kupwara

"These are early trends. It will get clear by 12 pm, by then, the Congress will get the majority. Kashmir is doing well, the BJP is not winning there, we are sure of it. The L-G knew about that and that is why they nominated 5 MLAs. Many votes are yet to be counted," says Congress leader Shama Mohamed.

Status update: The NC-Congress alliance has crossed the majority mark of 46 seats, as per early trends.

Congress party has early leads in 8 of the 32 seats it contests. The party has partnered with the regional J-K party National Conference for the Assembly polls and the alliance has established a solid lead crossing the majority mark of 46 seats.

Status update: Apni Party founder Altaf Bukhari for whom the polls are said to be crucial for the party's survival is trailing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chanapora constituency. NC’s Mushtaq Guroo has taken a lead here

The future of smaller parties like JKAP and the PC would be determined by the poll results. Bukhari is seen in political circles as an alleged “proxy of the BJP” in the Valley. However, his party has failed to expand its footprint so far.

In line with the exit polls, the BJP as per early trends are retaining ground in the Jammu division.

If the Apni Party and the PC also put up a good performance and win several seats, they along with some Independent winners may give a fillip to the BJP’s bid to form a government depending on its tally.

While unable to gain footing in Kashmir, the BJP has managed to lead in 18 constituencies in Jammu province, as per early trends.

The BJP Vice President Yudvir Sethi says the party was hopeful of forming its government in J&K with the help of Independents. He said the party is "in touch with the Independencts" when asked whether any consultations were going on

“We will win nearly 35 seats, outperforming its 2014 assembly polls,” he said. Currently, except for its J&K president Ravinder Raina, all the prominent party faces including many former ministers and ex-legislators are leading.

The BJP had in 2014 assembly polls won 25 seats in Jammu region and entered the corridors of power in coalition with the PDP.

People's Conference president Sajad Lone, who is also contesting from two seats, is leading in Handwara seat by a slender margin of 390 votes.

In Kupwara segment, he is trialing as per the Election Commission trends for Jammu and Kashmir.

Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) president and Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid said even if a party or an alliance did secure a majority, “it would be better if all these parties should focus on one point and tell the Union government to return statehood, now that elections are over”. He also urged the mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir to hold off on government formation until J&K’s statehood is restored.

Apni Party founder Altaf Bukhari is trailing in Jammu and Kashmir's Chanapora constituency while NC's Mushtaq Guroo has taken a lead.

If early trends are to be believed, the BJP has once again failed to open its account in the Kashmir Valley.

The only seat where BJP was expecting to win -- Gurez assembly constituency -- party candidate Faqeer Mohammad Khan is trailing by over 1500 votes to National Conference’s Nazir Ahmad Khan after two of five rounds of counting.

The possible outcome is being considered a result of anger in the Valley after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019 and the tough Kashmir-policy by the Centre. In fact, the political parties and independents that were tagged to be the BJP proxies have also been not able to make a strong performance in the Valley.

After almost two hours of counting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) -- the single largest party with 28 seats in the last assembly in 2014 -- is leading only on three seats - two in south Kashmir and one in north Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti's daughter Iltija is currently trailing in Bijbehara Assembly constituency.

This is being considered as the party’s worst performance since it was founded in 1999.

In its first electoral fight in 2002, the party had won 16 seats, followed by 21 seats in 2008 and 28 seats in 2014. The party has failed to make a mark in its south Kashmir stronghold as well where it is leading only on two out of 11 seats. One of the reasons for PDP’s dismal performance is the perception in the Valley that the party can’t come to power and it is better to rally behind an alliance - National Conference-Congress alliance - that has better chances to win.

Further, the PDP’s alliance with the BJP in 2014 was seen as a betrayal of the popular vote in Kashmir

As per the latest trends on NDTV, here's how the parties stand in J-K:

Congress-NC: 52

BJP: 23

PDP: 2

Others: 13

Seems like a good day is lined up for National Conference's VP Omar Abdullah as he maintains early lead in both the seats he's contesting from -- Ganderbal and Budgam

Meanwhile, PDP's Bijbehara candidate and daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, Ilitija Mufti is currently trailing.

In Nowshera constituency, J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina is trailing with NC'S Surinder Kumar leading by over 2500 votes

While the National Conference-Congress alliance is inching towards the majority mark, the early trends suggest that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to hold even its south Kashmir stronghold. The BJP is at the second spot,

While Omar Abdullah is leading from both the Ganderbal and Budgam seats, Iltija Mufti daughter of PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti is trailing behind National Conference's Bashir Ahmad Veeri from the BIjbehara assembly segment. PDP's youth president Waheed Parra, however, is leading in Pulwama assembly segment.

CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami is currently leading in Kulgam, early trends show.

Under their seat sharing pact, the NC-Congress alliance had left one seat for the CPI(M)’s Tarigami in the Kashmir region.

Daughter of Mehbooba Mufti and Peoples Democratic Leader candidate Ilitija Mufti is trailing in the contest for the Bijbehara seat, early trends as per NDTV show.

The Congress-NC alliance has currently crossed the majority mark of 46 seats in Jammu and Kashmir and is currently leading on 48.The BJP is ahead on 26 seats.

As per early trends, Congress-NC is leading with 50 seats.

Congress leader and party candidate from Dooru constituency, Ghulam Ahmad Mir says: "...In Haryana, we knew it was going to be a landslide victory for us...same is the situation in J&K...there is a strong anti-incumbency wave against BJP...that's why we made a viable alliance...alliance itself is a magic figure...alliance will cross 50...BJP's claims that they will cross 50, that is not the situation in J&K, all the questions were against BJP..."

Sajad Lone from the Peoples Conference Party is seeking a win from Kupwara which is part of North Kashmir. However as per early trends, PDP's Mir Mohammad Fayaz has consolidated a strong lead there, followed by NC's Nasir Aslam Wani.

Point to note: North Kashmir was an NC stronghold before the emergence of the PDP in 1999

With the BJP looking to defy exit polls and get big wins in the J-K Assembly results today, BJP state unit president Ravinder Raina performed a 'yagya' ahead of counting of votes this morning. He is also said to have expressed confidence the party would secure a majority and form a government, potentially with the support of Independents in the UT.

According to initial trends by the NDTV, the Congress-NC alliance has crossed the majority mark of 46 seats in Jammu and Kashmir. It is currently leading on 48. The BJP is ahead on 26 seats.

According to NDTV, early trends from the counting of votes in Jammu and Kashmir show the Congress and its alliance with the NC ahead on 43 of the total 90 seats, and the BJP on 27 in the UT.

Engineer Rashid's Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) fielded its candidates as Independents from over 34 seats across Kashmir. Rashid was expected to be an “X factor” in the Assembly polls, but the allegations levelled by his rivals that he has been a “BJP proxy” may have deterred his party’s prospects.

Rashid who is currently out on bail sprung as a surprise in the Lok Sabha polls defeating two state stalwarts — NC vice-president and ex-chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Peoples Conference (PC) chief Sajad Lone — to clinch the Baramulla seat.

The AIP also announced a “strategic poll alliance” with a faction of the banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami, which is backing 10 candidates in the Valley as Independents.

Congress workers are being seen distributing jalebis at AICC Headquarters in Delhi as early trends of the J&K Assembly elections show the party and its alliance National Conference in the lead.

Meanwhile, NC Vice President and party's candidate from Ganderbal & Budgam, Omar Abdullah says: " We have the hope that we will win. The decision made by the voters of J&K, we will get to know by today afternoon. There should be transparency...if people's mandate is against BJP, they shouldn't pull off any tricks...we did alliance so we can win and we are hoping to win..."

Counting of votes began at 8 am this morning with postal ballots being counted first.

As per early trends, how the Congress and its alliance with National Conference are leading in Jammu and Kashmir.  However, close contest seems if there is to be one is likely with the BJP

Peoples Pulse: the National Conference-Congress alliance is expected to cross the majority mark and secure 46-50 seats. This is followed by the BJP, which is looking at securing 23-27 seats. The PDP is expected to bag 7-11 seats.

Dainik Bhaskar: Has also given an edge to the National Conference-Congress, projecting 35-40 seats for the alliance. This is followed by the BJP, which is expected to secure 20-25 seats, and the PDP at 4-7 seats.

According to the India Today-C Voter pollster, the BJP is expected to secure the highest vote share of 41 per cent, with 27-31 seats in the Jammu region. This is followed by the NC-Congress alliance at 37 per cent (11-15 seats) and the PDP with 4 per cent vote share (0-2 seats).

NDTV poll of polls: the Congress-National Conference alliance is expected to secure at least 43 seats, followed by the BJP at 27 seats, and the PDP at 8. The projection gives 18 seats to smaller parties.

Axis My India pollster has predicted 35 – 45 seats for the Congress-National Conference alliance, followed by the BJP with 24-34 seats. The pollster has predicted 4 – 6 seats for the PDP, and 8 – 23 for others.

In J-K getting its elected government this time, the Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could play a significant role in the event of the NC-Congress alliance falling short of an absolute majority. As per exit polls, no party will cross the majority mark of 46 seats.

Now as a constituent of the INDIA bloc, the PDP may be a natural ally for the alliance in the event of a hung Assembly. But it would face resistance from the NC which has been its key rival in the Valley. And with father-son duo Farooq and Omar Abdullah not being on the same page a day prior to vote counting is not going to help ease the scenario.

In the previous Assembly polls in 2014, the PDP had emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats.

It then formed a coalition government with the the BJP which went on to withdrew its support in June 2018. J&K has been under the Central rule since then.

Counting of votes with postal ballots being tallied first has begun in 28 counting centres across 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir.

"...As per the EC guidelines, 3-tier security is provided in the area around the counting centres...So, security cordon has been arranged here accordingly. The entire area has been sanitised very well. Force deployment has also been made...," an Election Commission official was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Counting of votes began at 8 am this morning for 90-seat Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir. The process across 20 polling stations across the UT will begin with counting of the postal ballots.

By the end of today, the UT its first elected government since 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated. These are also the first assembly elections in J-K since 2014.

"Here’s wishing all my colleagues and allies the very best of luck for today. We fought the good fight & now, InshaAllah, the results will reflect that," National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said in a post on X early this morning ahead of vote counting.

Abdullah is in the fray from two seats Ganderbal and Budgam. He is hoping for a win following a loss in the Lok Sabha elections earlier in the year.

The Lok Sabha polls in J&K’s five seats saw the BJP and NC each win two seats, with one seat going to an Independent, jailed leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid popularly known as Engineer Rashid.

Ending speculation of a post-poll alliance, in a post on X, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on eve of vote counting said: “They (PDP) haven’t extended support, they haven’t offered support, and we don’t know what the voters have decided yet, so I really wish we could put a lid on all this premature speculation for the next 24 hours"

His remark came hours after his father, Farooq Abdullah, said he would accept support from Mehbooba Mufti's party even if the NC could form a government independently.

Farooq said everyone must stick together in J&K to overcome the “difficult situation” that it is in -- “All of us have to strive together.”

“We are in a very difficult situation, we have a tough job ahead. See the situation of our children – educated with high degrees but without any jobs. See the drug menace that we see today. All the contracts are going to people from outside. We can’t even collect a spoon of sand (from the river bed),” he said.

Both the NC and the PDP are constituents of the INDIA bloc as well as the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

On the eve of vote counting, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's power to nominate five MLAs to the J&K Assembly stirred up a row in the UT.

The Congress, its ally NC and the PDP opposed any such move during government formation even saying they would take the matter to the Supreme Court.

With no clear winner in the J&K picture based on the exit polls, the addition of the five nominated members would take the House strength to 95, and the majority mark to 48.

These members who may have the same powers and voting rights as other MLAs could potentially shake up poll dynamics. Especially with the members listed being from the BJP.

The Congress and the National Conference finalised a seat-sharing agreement ahead of the 2024 J-K Assembly Elections.

Both are part of the Opposition INDIA alliance at the national level. Out of total 90 Assembly seats, the Congress contested 33 seats and the National Conference fielded candidates in 52 constituencies.

The two parties opted for “friendly fights” in the other five constituencies.

The alliance left one seat each for the CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami in the Kashmir region and for the J&K National Panthers Party in the Jammu division.

Jammu and Kashmir is set to begin counting of votes for the Assembly elections held after a decade.

Now, J-K is a Union Territory and not a state. The constitutional changes of August 2019 with the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 took away its statehood.

As it gets its first elected government after a log gap, powers of the new J-K Assembly will vary. The key aspect is that the Reorganisation Act of 2019 created a vastly different structure, in which the L-G has a much bigger role compared with the state Assembly.

The elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held in three phases.

The UT recorded an overall voter turnout of 63.45%. This figure was just under the 2014 mark of 65.8%, but still more than the turnout recorded in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

In the third phase held on October 1, J-K recorded a voter turnout of 68.72%.

In the second phase, voter turnout was 57.31% – lower than the phase one turnout of 61.38 percent.

Sopore and Baramulla districts -- the traditional boycott bastions – witnessed the highest turnout in Assembly elections in the last 30 years.

Good morning!

It's the day of big poll verdicts in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir, the first results after the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

Stage is set for J&K to get its first elected government in a decade with several parties vying for power even as a hung Assembly is a distinct possibility, if exit polls are to be believed.

Stay tuned as we bring you real-time updates of the vote counting across 20 odd polling centres in the UT.