NC emerging single-largest party in JK

Emerging the single-largest party in a hung assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) is all set to stake claim for forming the next government for which it will approach Congress.

The NC is projected to win 29 seats in a House of 87 and was ahead of its rivals Mehbooba Mufti-headed PDP, which is projected to win 18, and Congress 16, according to trends.

Only 22 results have been actually declared of which the NC bagged nine seats and is projected to win another 20 seats in a house of 87 members.

With no party getting the required the 44 seats for a majority, the Congress will play the 'kingmaker'. Congress has already won four seats and is ahead in 12 other seats.

If the projections held true, Congress and NC which together could have 45 seats and may join hands to form the government after the long seven-phased polls spread over five weeks which saw a record turnout of 61 per cent in the state.

An elated Omar Abdullah, who spearheaded his party's campaign and also won from Ganderbal seat by a margin of 3,600 votes, said they would approach Congress for forming the government. His father and party patron Farooq Abdullah won from Hazratbal seat but was trailing in Sonawar.

Though Congress is yet to reveal its cards, party president Sonia Gandhi has convened a high-level meeting of senior leaders to formulate a strategy on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who won the election from Baderwah, said the party would ally with any party which would help combat terrorism.