Despite exit polls showing the National Conference-Congress alliance in a leading position, former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta expressed optimism on Saturday, stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will perform better than predicted, particularly in Kashmir, with discussions ongoing with like-minded parties, ANI reported.
“It is only in the exit polls that Congress-NC has these seats, but BJP will emerge as the largest party once the final results are announced. We are confident of securing over 35 seats in Jammu province and gaining more in Kashmir. Talks are underway with like-minded parties,” Gupta said.
Tarun Chugh, BJP General Secretary and in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir, echoed Gupta’s sentiments, dismissing exit poll projections as premature.
“These are just exit polls. The actual results will be better. The BJP will form a full majority government in both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. We have the people’s blessings, and a double-engine government will be formed,” Chugh asserted.
Jammu Kashmir BJP President Ravinder Raina also voiced his confidence, predicting a strong majority for the party.
“I am certain that the BJP will emerge as the single largest party on October 8. The next government in J-K will be led by BJP,” Raina said.
The majority threshold in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly is 46 seats. Current exit poll projections from TV-Today C-Voter suggest the NC-Congress alliance could win between 40-48 seats, while the BJP is expected to secure 27-32 seats.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, is projected to win 6-12 seats, with other parties possibly claiming 6-11 seats.
Alternative projections, such as those from Dainik Bhaskar, estimate the NC-Congress alliance could win 35-40 seats, the BJP 20-25 seats, and PDP 4-7 seats, while others are expected to take 12-18 seats.
Meanwhile, the People Pulse survey predicts the NC-Congress alliance could win 46-50 seats, with the BJP securing 23-27 seats. PDP is projected to win 7-11 seats, while other parties could claim 4-6 seats.
The Election Commission of India reported a 63.88 percent overall voter turnout in the recently concluded three-phase elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu Kashmir.
The third phase, held on October 1, recorded a voter turnout of 69.69 percent, while phases one and two saw 61.38 percent and 57.31 percent turnout, respectively.
The elections, which ended peacefully, featured prominent campaigners from across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
Former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti were also among those campaigning.
Vote counting 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.