NEW DELHI: BJP and ally AJSU managed to get simple majority in Jharkhand as Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections resulted in a hung verdict. PDP emerged the single largest party, followed by BJP, though both parties are well short of majority individually.
While Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP bagged 28 seats in the 87-member House, BJP could win 25, all from the Jammu region. Surprisingly, BJP failed to open account in the Kashmir valley despite record voting and a strong perception of support to PM Narendra Modi as visible in the four election rallies he addressed. BJP lost security deposit in all but one seat in the Valley. In Ladakh region where it had won the sole Lok Sabha seat six months ago, the party lost all four seats.
In Jharkhand, BJP got 37 and AJSU five, just touching the half-way mark. However, Arjun Munda, the poster boy of BJP, lost the battle, paving the way for Raghubar Das to become the first non-tribal chief minister of the hilly state. Ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha of Hemant Soren won 19 and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha eight, Congress and others six each.
Ruling National Conference of Jammu and Kashmir managed 15, Congress 12 and others seven. Picture is not yet clear on who will form government in the state. Both PDP and BJP leadership made clear that all options are open even as senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party will support PDP to refrain BJP from assuming power. But BJP polled 23%, highest vote percentage, followed by PDP 22.7%, National Conference 20.8%, Congress 18% and others 15.5%.
PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti declared her party is in no urgency and would take time before taking a final decision on seeking support from any party. However, back-room negotiations between PDP and BJP have begun, as per sources. Both parties may lead the government two-and-half years each with Mufti Mohammad as chief minister and Mehbooba joining the Union Cabinet.
However, with no party crossing the 44 seat mark, it is still anybody’s game here. Incumbent chief minister Omar Abdullah’s National Conference managed to win only 15 seats, a loss of 13 from the its 2008 tally of 28.
PeopleSpeak:
Seema Goswami @seemagoswami: Never mind the Modi wave. Give RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat another six months and there will be anti-BJP wave.
Shanaya @Sinceere_Angel: In fact, BJP is relying on #Pappu Wave instead of Modi Wave; wherever Rahul Gandhi did rallies, Congress is winning none
Rahul G @PMOlndia: Dear @narendraModi, if ur workers don’t stop using crackers after victory, Himalaya might melt completely by 2034.
Ramesh Srivats @rameshsrivats: Congress would like to reiterate that all poll results after 2009 are not a reflection of the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.
