As early trends show Congress-NC ahead, Omar Abdullah says ‘BJP should not try any trick’

As early indications showed that the Congress-NC alliance had a big lead in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls by leading with 49 seats, Omar Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said he would wait until the afternoon for a clear picture and that it was too early to say anything about the trends.

In a statement to news agency ANI, Abdullah, who is contesting from Ganderbal and Budgam Assembly seats, said: “We are hopeful that we will win. We will get to know the decision of the voters of J&K this afternoon. There must be transparency. If the people’s mandate is against the BJP, they should not play tricks. We formed an alliance so we could win, and we hope to win,” he said.

People’s Conference head Sajad Lone also said it was too early to say anything about early trends.

“It’s too early to say anything, let’s wait until the evening. We are confident, we have worked hard, the rest belongs to God.”

Replying to a question on whether J&K is seeing a hung house, Lone said, “I have said this earlier too… whatever the outcome, the party will decide.”

On whether he would join any party, he said: “Whatever we do, we will respond in an informed manner and there is no need for the top to back anyone.”

As per the early trends at 9.30 am, Congress-NC was leading with 49 seats, BJP at 28 and PDP at 4.

The National Conference and the Jammu and Kashmir Congress, partners in the INDIA alliance, jointly contested the parliamentary elections, while the PDP and the BJP fought the elections on their own.

Congress candidate from Bahu Assembly seat TS Tony said, “The Congress-NC alliance will form the government with two-third majority. Earlier, people used to rely only on statements. Now all lies are being exposed… People now know everything. This was the city of temples. The BJP has made it the city of liquor. They say it is to generate revenue… People are frustrated with the liquor and land mafia… They don’t trust the public. they no longer…BJP is killing democracy.The appointment of five MLAs had to be done by the elected government.Even the President does not have this power of direct appointment.

The JK elections for 90 constituencies were held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1.