Kashmir elections' results

After an election that saw voters defy boycott calls and conquer the fear of the gun in the Valley, the National Conference looks likely to form the next government in Srinagar in alliance with the Congress. This would mark the return of the Abdullahs at the helm after six years. The NC emerged as the single largest party overtaking the separatist-backed Peoples Democratic Party in an election that saw a strong turnout of 60.5% despite a Pakistan-sponsored call for boycott, thereby strengthening the credibility of India’s democratic process. The outcome was unanimously hailed as a victory of Indian democracy and a rebuff to what chief election commissioner N Gopalaswamy called the fear factor. The NC promptly staked claim to form the next government.The NC, with 28 seats, and the Congress, with 17, will have the majority in the 87-strong House. The NC survived a drop in vote share in both the Valley and Jammu to best the PDP, which backed by proxy support from separatists and its strongholds in the southern part of the Valley, won 21 seats. Just like its prospective partner, the Congress saw a major erosion in its vote share. The BJP, in contrast, pulled off an improved performance, taking its tally from one to 11, its best-ever show. The party vote share recorded a jump of over 10%, thanks to the polarisation in Jammu over the Amarnath land controversy.