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The recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir have yielded a mixed bag of results, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party in terms of vote share despite the National Conference-Congress alliance winning the majority of seats in the assembly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged these developments in his customary evening address, highlighting the significance of peaceful elections in the erstwhile state after decades.
Modi congratulated both the BJP, which set a record by winning in Haryana for the third consecutive time, and the National Conference-Congress alliance. While emphasizing the BJP's vote share dominance in Jammu and Kashmir, he recognized the alliance's seat victory, stating, "The people of Jammu and Kashmir have given more seats to the National Conference and its allies. I send them my best wishes as well." This gesture underscored a commitment to democratic principles and the acceptance of electoral outcomes, even in a politically sensitive region.
The National Conference-Congress-CPM alliance secured 49 out of the 90 Assembly seats contested, with the National Conference contributing the lion's share of 42 seats. The Congress and CPM won six and one seat respectively. Meanwhile, the BJP achieved victory in 29 seats, an increase of four from its 2014 performance. However, despite this seat gain, the BJP's vote share stood at 25.64%, narrowly edging out the National Conference's 23.43%. The Congress' vote share was significantly lower at 11.97%.
The election results have sparked discussions about the future of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly concerning the restoration of statehood. National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, referencing the BJP's promise to restore statehood, expressed his hope that Prime Minister Modi would fulfill this pledge. He also characterized the election results as a rejection of the removal of Article 370, a constitutional provision granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir, which was revoked by the BJP government in 2019.
The statement from Abdullah, while expressing optimism about statehood restoration, also revealed the ongoing political tension surrounding the issue. The BJP's position on statehood remains unclear, adding another layer of complexity to the already intricate political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. The coming months will likely witness further negotiations and discussions as the newly elected assembly navigates the challenges of governance and political stability in the region.
Source: "BJP Single-Largest Party In J&K In Terms Of Vote Share": PM