Omar Abdullah calls exit polls ‘waste of time’ as JKNC-Congress allliance crosses halfway mark

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 8 (ANI): As the National Conference-Congress alliance headed for a clear majority in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday called exit polls a “waste of time” and said that those believing in them deserve to be in memes.

“If you pay for exit polls or waste time discussing them, you deserve all the jokes, memes, and ridicule. There was a reason I called them a waste of time a few days ago,” Omar Abdullah wrote in a post on X, as the National Conference and Congress alliance crossed the halfway mark.

As per the latest EC data at 2:45 PM, JKNC has won 39 seats and is leading in 3, while Congress has won 6 seats. The BJP has secured victory in 27 seats and is leading in 2.

Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won three seats, while independents and smaller parties have won seven seats.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has opened its account in Jammu and Kashmir by winning the Doda assembly constituency, with AAP candidate Mehraj Malik defeating BJP’s Gajay Singh Rana.

Soon after the National Conference-Congress alliance crossed the halfway mark, National Conference chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah announced his son Omar Abdullah as the next Chief Minister of the Union Territory.

“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,” the senior Abdullah told reporters as Election Commission results indicated the National Conference-Congress alliance likely crossing the majority mark in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

Omar Abdullah, also a former CM, will be the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah confirmed.

Speaking to reporters, Farooq Abdullah added, “We want to tackle issues of unemployment, inflation, and others. I am grateful to everyone for casting their votes. Omar Abdullah will be the Chief Minister.”

The Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held on September 18, September 25, and October 1.