J&K heads for hung assembly

Jammu and Kashmir appears headed for another hung assembly. Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) was ahead in 25 seats followed by PDP in 20 seats. While Congress was leading in 16 seats, BJP was ahead in 12 seats.

Counting of votes in the seven-phased elections to 87 constituencies were taken up on Sunday morning. The process began at 9 am at 22 centres across the state amidst tight security. The final results are expected to be out by evening.

The seven-phased polls witnessed an unexpected high voter turnout of 61.5% despite a boycott call by separatists. An estimated 43% of voters had exercised their franchise in the 2002 elections.

Electoral fortunes of 1,353 candidates including former chief ministers Gulam Nabi Azad, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Farooq Abdullah and NC president Omar Abdullah (Ganderbal) and PDP's Mehbooba Mufti will be decided today.

Though all the constituencies witnessed multi-cornered contests, the real fight is among Congress, NC and PDP for 46 seats in Kashmir while BJP and National Panthers Party are in contention for 37 constituencies in Jammu.

Governor's rule was imposed in the state in July following Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad's resignation after the PDP pulled out of the Congress-led coalition over the Amarnath land row.