2 weeks Ago By Apoorva Shukla
As National Conference-Congress alliance secured majority in Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, the US said that free and fair elections are the cornerstone of a democracy, asserting that the country doesn't take a position on a particular candidate or party. On being asked about opposition parties securing majority in Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller says, "Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of a thriving democracy and when it comes to these elections, we don’t take a position on any party or candidate." National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah is now set to become the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir following his party's strong performance in the Assembly elections, the first held in a decade.
The NC-Congress alliance won 49 seats in the polls, five years after Article 370 was abrogated. The NC secured 42 out of the 51 seats it contested, while Congress won six of the 32 it fought for. The Bharatiya Janata Party secured 29 seats.
Omar Abdullah himself claimed victory in both the Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies with a comfortable majority. According to NC chief Farooq Abdullah, the alliance will now stake claim to form the government, with Omar Abdullah as the Chief Minister. Farooq Abdullah also remarked that the results showed the people of Jammu and Kashmir rejected the central government's decision to revoke Article 370.
"People have given their mandate. They have proven that they don't accept the decision that was taken on August 5. Omar Abdullah will be the Chief Minister," he stated.
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