Srinagar: In a decisive turn of events, the National Conference (NC) and Congress alliance has clinched a clear majority in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The NC-led coalition crossed the crucial halfway mark, securing 48 seats out of the total 90, with 42 seats going to NC and 6 to Congress. The majority threshold to form the government is 46 seats, making NC’s government formation all but certain.
However, as the dust settles on the election results, Congress, despite being part of the winning alliance, finds its importance diminishing rapidly. This is due to the unexpected backing from 4 Independent MLAs and some smaller parties that have pledged support to NC. Their support has not only bolstered NC’s numbers but also made the party less reliant on Congress to reach the majority figure.
The election outcome had initially positioned Congress as a crucial partner with its 6 seats, giving it some leverage in negotiations for ministerial posts and policy influence. But with NC now receiving additional backing from Independent and smaller party MLAs, the dynamics have shifted. NC, which initially required Congress’s numbers to reach the majority, now has alternative routes to government formation.
This development puts Congress in a less favourable position, weakening its bargaining power within the alliance. NC now holds the advantage of being able to form a government independently, or with minimal external support, if it chooses to do so.
The National Conference’s success in the elections has been noteworthy. Out of the 90 seats, it won 42, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 29 seats. Congress managed to win 6 seats, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gained 3 seats. The People’s Conference, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and CPI(M) each took 1 seat, while 7 seats went to Independent candidates.
These post-result shifts highlight the volatile nature of coalition politics in Jammu and Kashmir, where alliances and support can be fluid. As NC strengthens its hold with fresh backing, Congress’s ability to influence the terms of governance in the region may dwindle.
While the two parties had formed a pre-election alliance to ensure a stable government, the shifting political landscape following the results presents NC with more autonomy than expected. Congress’s leadership had hoped to use their position in the alliance to push for key demands, but the new backing for NC suggests that the party may not need to accommodate Congress’s aspirations to the same extent.
The coming days will reveal how NC chooses to navigate this newfound position of strength, and whether Congress can regain any leverage in the unfolding political scenario.
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