As counting of Assembly election votes began on Tuesday, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah expressed hope of winning and forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are hopeful of winning the elections and rest up to the almighty,” Omar told media persons in Srinagar on Tuesday.
“What the voters of Jammu and Kashmir have decided will come to known by this noon,” the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said.
Replying to a question, Omar said, “The coalition with the Congress was done to win the elections, and almighty willing, we are hopeful of winning the elections.”
Asked about the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) extending any support in forming the government, Omar said, “Let the results come. We have neither approached them for support nor have they said anything about it.’
Asked about the transparency in counting of votes, Omar said, “There is no meaning without transparency in the democracy.”
He said, “Everything should happen with transparency. There should not be any tampering with the people’s mandate. If the people’s mandate goes against the BJP… they should accept it.”
“The Raj Bhawan and the central government should accept the verdict like we did during the parliament elections,” Omar said, adding, “Whatever the results, our political leaders will accept that.”
Counting of votes for the 90-member Assembly is continuing in Srinagar and Jammu. The political fate of 873 candidates, including 43 women, will be decided by the results.