BJP, PDP go neck and neck in J&K; fractured mandate certain

After Modi charge in state, BJP looks set to double tally, could be part of govt formation

Early trends from results to Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir suggest a fractured mandate has been delivered in the state. These ratify the exit polls that had predicted a hung Assembly, with a four-way split of votes. In fact, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seem neck and neck, with leads on 29 and 26 seat, respectively; while the National Conference and former ally, the Congress party, are placed third and fourth with leads on 12 and 16 seats, respectively.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had led the BJP charge in the state. Though his mission 44 + might not fructify, the charge has at least led to BJP doubling its tally. While it remains unclear whether BJP will become the single largest party in the state in terms of number of seats — PDP is leading at present — BJP might be on its way to becoming part of government formation in the state, as suggested by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday.

PDP, which has so far garnered the highest share in number of votes from the Kashmir valley, unlike BJP’s good performance in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region alone, is likely to be a preferred ally for BJP. With leads on 24 seats as of now, PDP, though, is keeping its cards close to its chest.

Should PDP retain its lead, as the trends at present suggest, a possibility of the party forming a government with the Congress cannot be ruled out, either — that is, if the two together touch the magic number of 44.

Surprisingly the National Conference has performed better than expected, with leads on 17 seats bringing it neck and neck with the Congress. On Monday, Omar Abdullah, chief minister and a member of the party, had made it clear NC would not have any alliance with BJP.

The Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad, however, exuded confidence his party still could be open to allying with either PDP or NC, like in the past, to help in government formation. Which of the four parties join hands to form a government, though, is a proposition to be determined after the final tally is on the board and the parties begin talks.

The results of these polls could give a fillip to the BJP-led government at the Centre, which has been in the midst of scathing attack from Opposition parties for allegedly encouraging communal polarisation.