Srinagar: Ten years down the lane, since the last assembly polls were held in 2014 and the formation of PDP-BJP coalition, much of the water has flown under the bridge(s) of Jhelum & Tawi. The uncertainty of results in politics, no less than the game of Cricket, may as always be having a bag full of better and bitter surprises for the electorate – depends how one is anticipating or perceiving the things.
The recently concluded assembly polls, first since the abrogation of Article 370 & 35A and the simultaneous stripping of a well-established State status to Jammu and Kashmir, in 2019, saw an unprecedented voter turnout, with an even fairer number of candidates – contesting independently – joining the bandwagon in a bid to make their political fortunes. The three-phased elections, held between September 18 to October 1, had an aggregate of 63.45 per cent turnout – which, the poll body says is higher than the turnout recorded in the recently held Lok Sabha elections in the Union Territory.
As the things gravitate towards October 8, we have for the quest of our readers chalked out an ‘Exit Poll’, according to what one can anticipate after the announcement – still some 54 hours away.
First thing first, it is highly likely to be a hung assembly, which then also would require not only two but at least three or in possible case four parties (where the fourth important constituent may be the independent candidates).
Here, Alfaaz – The Words in collaboration with Press Exclusive, provide for our worthy and respectable readers, ‘Exit Polls’ vis-a-vis Kashmir division:
i) Karnah – National Conference ii) Trehgam – Peoples’ Conference iii) Kupwara – Peoples’ Democratic Party iv) Lolab – close contest between National Conference and Awami Ittehad Party v) Handwara – Peoples’ Conference vi) Langate – Awami Ittehad Party vii) Sopore – close contest between Congress and Awami Itehad Party viii) Rafiabad – Apni Party ix) Uri – Independent x) Baramulla – Awami Ittehad Party xi) Gulmarg – National Conference xii) Wagoora-Kreeri – Congress xiii) Pattan – Peoples’ Conference xiv) Sonawari – National Conference xv) Bandipora – Congress xvi) Gurez (ST) – National Conference xvii) Budgam – National Conference xviii) Beerwah – Independent xvix) Kangan (ST) – National Conference xx) Ganderbal – Peoples’ Democratic Party xxi) Hazratbal – Peoples’ Democratic Party xxii) Khanyar – JKNC xxiii) Habba Kadal – National Conference xxiv) Lal Chowk – National Conference xxv) Chanapora – JKAP xxvi) Zadibal – National Conference xxvii) Eidgah – National Conference xxviii) Central Shalteng –Congress xxix) Khan Sahib – PDF xxx) Chrar-e-Sharief – JKNC xxxi) Chadoora – National Conference xxxii) Pampore – JKNC xxxiii) Tral – Congress xxxiv) Pulwama – PDP xxxv) Rajpora – JKNC xxxvi) Shopian – Independent xxxvii) Zainapora – Independent xxxviii) DH Pora – National Conference xxxix) Kulgam – close contest between CPI(M) and Independent candidate xxxx) Devsar – Peoples’ Democratic Parrt xxxxi) Dooru – Congress xxxxii) Kokernag – National Conference xxxxiii) Anantnag (West) – Peoples’ Democratic Party xxxxiv) Anantnag – Peoples’ Democratic Party xxxxv) Srigufwara-Bijbehara Peoples’ Democratic Party close contest with JKNC xxxxvi) Shangus (Anantnag East) – Peoples’ Democratic Party xxxxvii) Pahalgam – JKNC.
The Exit Poll for Jammu division will be provided separately.