'We will extend support to...': Iltija Mufti hints at PDP's post-poll alliance

As the countdown to the vote counting for the Jammu and Kashmir elections begins, Iltija Mufti, Media Advisor to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, took to Twitter to clarify the party's stance on potential alliances. 

In her tweet, she stated, "...Let me put the record straight. PDP's senior leadership will take a call on extending support to a secular front only once the results are out. This is our official stand."

The development came amid several exit polls predicting an edge to the Congress-National Conference alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, with the regional partner emerging as the single largest party. Earlier on Saturday, PDP candidate from Lal Chowk Assembly seat Zuhaib Yousuf Mir hinted that they can join the Congress-NC alliance to keep BJP out of power and told ANI that they are ready to take any step to save the identity of Kashmir.

J&K is all set to get a new government after the results of the Assembly elections held after a gap of 10 years are announced on October 8. Daughter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, Iltija contested the assembly polls from Bijbehara in Anantnag district.

Exit Polls

Various exit polls have predicted Congress-NC being ahead in a tight race.

According to TV-Today C-voter projections, the NC-Congress alliance is likely to win 40-48 seats while the BJP can win 27-32.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti-led People's Democratic Party is likely to win 6-12 seats whereas others can win 6-11.

As per Dainik Bhaskar's projection, the NC-Congress alliance can win seats ranging from 35-40. The BJP can win 20-25 seats and, PDP 4-7 while the others can win 12-18 seats.

The Axis My India has predicted a hung assembly in Jammu and Kashmir with the National Conference-Congress alliance slightly ahead and the BJP tailgating the opposition.

According to Axis My India, the NC-Congress alliance can win 35-45 seats whereas the BJP can win 24-34 seats.

Notably, the majority mark to form the government in the Union Territory is 46 and the prediction has shown no one above the mark.

The Election Commission of India said that an overall 63.88 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The counting of votes will take place on October 8. In 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024.