"Forming government is non-issue, not a priority": AIP's Engineer Rashid

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 5 (ANI): As the exit polls projected a tight race in Jammu and Kashmir, President of Awami Ittehad Party and MP, Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid on Saturday emphasized that forming a government is not his primary concern, instead, he's focused on ensuring the new government addresses the pressing issues affecting J-K residents.

The Awami Ittehad Party leader also extended gratitude to former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjeet Channi for speaking out about him and expressing concern during a Parliament session.

"Omar Abdullah has insulted those who voted for me and AIP...For me, making government is a non-issue and not a priority. For me, what is important is to see how much effort the new government puts into resolving the issues of the people of J-K," he said.

"I am thankful to former CM of Punjab Charanjeet Channi who had spoken about me and raised concern about me during the Parliament session. My doors are open for everyone. He had come to my house today. I thanked him for speaking for me in Parliament when many other MPs from J-K did not," the AIP leader said.

Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra said that the people had decided to vote to keep the BJP out of the power corridor.

"This exit poll is on expected lines. In fact, the exact poll will be even better than this. We have been maintaining that this vote is against BJP's hegemony and their anti-people actions and divisive politics. People had decided to vote to keep BJP out of the power corridor," he said.

National Conference candidate from Doda Assembly Constituency, Khalid Najib Suharwardy said that the exit polls have never proved to be exact, so it is better to wait for the counting on October 8.

"Exit polls have never proved to be exact. I do not believe in exit polls. We know what the situation on the ground is...It is better to wait till October 8," he said.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) Ganderbal Assembly constituency candidate Bashir Ahmad Mir hoped for a positive result in favour of the PDP.

"I mapped the mood of the people of Ganderbal and the people said that they wanted a local candidate. I don't believe in exit polls. I am hopeful of a positive result and in our favour," he said.

Congress candidate from the Kaithal assembly seat, Aditya Surjewala said that the people are tired of BJP's corruption and hatred adding that they will form a government with a majority.

"The exit polls always show fewer seats for Congress party. We will get more than 70 seats and it will be a government of majority. Congress will be formed because the people to walk on the path of justice and truth. They are tired of BJP's corruption and hatred," he said.

NC Provincial President for Jammu, Ratan Lal Gupta said that people have expressed their anger against the present government.

"The exit polls are showing the truth. The edge that is being predicted for Congress NC is correct. The people have expressed their anger against the present government...I am hopeful that the tally might increase." he said.

Notably, the Axis My India has projected a hung assembly in Jammu and Kashmir with the National Conference-Congress alliance slightly ahead and the BJP tailgating the opposition.

According to Axis My India, the NC-Congress alliance can win 35-45 seats whereas the BJP can win 24-34 seats.

The majority mark to form the government in the Union Territory is 46 and the prediction has shown no one above the mark.

According to the predictions, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) can win 4-6 seats while Awam Ittehad Party-led by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid can win 3-8.

The Axis My India has given Sajjad Lone's People's Conference 1-3 while others can get 4-10 seats.

As per its prediction, the NC-Congress vote share can go up to 38 per cent while the BJP to 21.

According to TV-Today C-voter projections, the NC-Congress alliance is likely to win 40-48 seats while the BJP can win 27-32. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti-led People's Democratic Party is likely to win 6-12 seats whereas others can win 6-11.

As per Dainik Bhaskar's projection, the NC-Congress alliance can win seats ranging from 35-40. The BJP can win 20-25 seats, PDP 4-7 while the others can win 12-18 seats.

The People Pulse survey has predicted 46-50 seats for the NC-Congress alliance and 23-27 for the BJP. As per them, the PDP can win 7-11 whereas the others can win 4-6 seats.

The Gulistan News projection on Republic TV projected 28-30 seats for the National Conference, 3-6 seats for the Congress, 5-7 seats for the PDP and 8-16 seats for other parties and independents.

The counting of votes 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. (ANI)