Exit Polls predict cliffhanger: Will Mehbooba be kingmaker in J&K?

Could Mehbooba Mufti emerge as the potential kingmakers in the formation of the government in Jammu and Kashmir? Exit poll results suggest this possibility. 

The assembly elections held after a decade have ignited speculation about the next government. Exit polls indicate that both the National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are expected to secure fewer than the 46 seats required for a majority, thus placing the decision-making power squarely in the Mufti's hands.

As the results are set to be announced on October 8, political analysts and voters alike are questioning the ability of the BJP to stitch up a coalition. Meanwhile, the NC is poised to potentially emerge as the largest party for the first time in 16 years.

The exit polls indicate a strong showing for the NC-Congress alliance, particularly in the Kashmir Valley, where they are expected to outperform their 2014 election results, which saw them winning a combined total of 27 seats. With the NC contesting 51 seats and Congress 32, the alliance is on track to gain more than 10 seats, making it a formidable force in the assembly.

However, with the projected seat counts falling short of a majority, Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could play a pivotal role in government formation. Although the PDP is anticipated to secure fewer than 10 seats, Mufti's party could emerge as a crucial ally for either the NC-Congress alliance or the BJP, positioning her as a potential kingmaker in the post-election landscape.

Additionally, independent candidates are expected to gain traction, further complicating the political scenario. With the dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir shifting, the coming days will be critical in determining the future of governance in the region.