Omar Abdullah to become J&K CM Pic Credit Joel's Goa Pics
National Conference Secures Majority in J&K with Support of Independent MLAs
Srinagar: The National Conference (NC), led by Omar Abdullah, has secured a majority in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after receiving the support of four Independent MLAs, reducing its reliance on alliance partner Congress. With this move, the NC now commands 46 seats in the 90-member Assembly, surpassing the majority mark without needing Congress’s support.
The four Independent MLAs who have backed the NC include Pyare Lal Sharma (Inderwal), Satish Sharma (Chhamb), Choudhary Mohammed Akram (Surankote), and Dr. Rameshwar Singh (Bani). Their support has elevated the NC’s seat count from 42 to 46, giving it a clear path to form the government independently.
Congress Faces Further Marginalization
The Congress, which initially held six seats in the alliance with NC, has been pushed further into irrelevance as the NC no longer requires its backing to govern. This development highlights the ongoing struggle of the Congress party in maintaining its political foothold, both in Jammu and Kashmir and nationwide. The party’s diminishing influence was also evident in its recent losses in Haryana and other states.
Despite the NC’s current majority, it remains a slim one. Losing the support of even a single MLA could bring the party below the majority threshold, putting the Congress’s six seats back into play. However, for the moment, the Congress does not hold a pivotal position in the government’s formation.
BJP and PDP Falter in New Assembly Setup
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which performed strongly in the Jammu region, ended the election with 29 seats. However, its count has since increased to 32 with support from three other Independent MLAs. Despite this, the BJP remains in the opposition, unable to challenge the NC’s majority.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, witnessed a severe setback, dropping to just three seats from its 2014 tally of 28. The drastic decline has all but extinguished its chances of playing a significant role as a ‘kingmaker’ in the Assembly.
With the political dynamics shifting rapidly in Jammu and Kashmir, the NC’s majority has positioned Omar Abdullah as a central figure in the region’s governance. For now, the Congress’s role remains diminished, and its future influence in the state’s political landscape is uncertain.
