J&K exit polls: NC-Congress may secure most seats with no clear majority; BJP hot on their trail

Exit poll predictions for the Indian Union Territory ofJammu andKashmir announced on Saturday (Oct 5) indicated a close contest, with predictions showing the National Conference-Congress alliance in the lead andBharatiya Janata Party(BJP) following close behind.

Here's what pollsters are predicting:

NDTV Poll of Polls:

• NC-INC: 46-50 seats
• BJP: 23-27 seats
• PDP: 7-11 seats
• Others: 4-7 seats

Matrize:

• BJP: 25 seats
• Congress: 12 seats
• NC: 15 seats
• PDP: 28 seats
• Others: 7 seats

Dainik Bhaskar:

• NC-Congress: 35-40 seats
• BJP: 20-25 seats
• Independents: 12-16 seats
• PDP: 4-7 seats

Gulistan:

• NC-Congress: 31-36 seats
• BJP: 28-30 seats
• Independents: 19-23 seats
• PDP: 5-7 seats

C-Voter:

• NC-Congress: 30-48 seats
• BJP: 27-32 seats
• PDP: 6-12 seats
• Independents: 6-11 seats

People's Pulse:

• NC-Congress: 46-50 seats
• BJP: 23-27 seats
• PDP: 7-11 seats
• Independents: 6-10 seats

"It is only in the Exit polls that Congress-NC has got these seats, but BJP will emerge as the biggest party once the correct results are out. We are confident of getting more than 35 seats in Jammu province and the remaining from Kashmir. BJP will be in a better condition in Kashmir...Talks are going on with like-minded parties," said BJP leader Kavinder Gupta on exit polls.

"People of Jammu and Kashmir have voted for peace, security, brotherhood, development and employment. Congress and National Conference will together form a strong government there and work for peace along with the Union government," said Congress leader Harish Rawat.

The elections in Jammu andKashmir were held in three phases, covering all 90 seats of the assembly, with voting concluding peacefully on October 1. This marked the first assembly election in the region since Article 370 was revoked.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the overall voter turnout was 63.88 per cent. In the third phase, held on October 1, the voter turnout was recorded at 69.69 per cent. The first and second phases saw turnouts of 61.38 per centand 57.31 per cent, respectively.

(With inputs from agencies)