Srinagar: Outside a counting center, National Conference worker Abdul Majeed Bhat was biting his lips repeatedly. Nervous, he was trying hard to cope with his anxiety as results started pouring in.
As trends showed NC having an upper hand, Bhat jumped in jubilation and shouted pro-NC slogans.
He was joined by other workers who stayed for the entire day outside SKICC to celebrate the victory of the party.
“Why shouldn’t we celebrate? It is a historic day since we worked hard to get support from the people. Everyone should celebrate the National Conference’s victory as restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir,” Bhat said.
National Conference, which forged a pre-poll alliance with Congress has emerged victorious from 42 seats with its vice president Omar Abdullah winning both seats from Ganderbal and Beerwah.
NC workers took to the streets, waving party flags and chanting slogans in support of their leadership. `Bankho Wazir Aala’ to `Yete Watu dera’, workers tried to set the tone as victory drew near.
Many described the victory as a “new dawn” for democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, with hopes that the NC will address pressing issues such as employment, development, and security in the region.
“The NC’s success has been seen as a rejection of the politics of division and a reaffirmation of the people’s faith in a party that has historically championed the rights of the residents of Jammu and Kashmir,” said another worker Mohammad Yusuf Khan.
He believed NC’s return to power may lead to a renewed focus on development projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for the people in the region. “Development of Jammu and Kashmir will be the prime focus of NC. The government formed by NC will equally offer relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who suffered due to the inflation and other issues over the years,” Khan said.
Even the workers from the rival parties also claimed the local government was the need of an hour.
“The election came. As a big relief to the people. Jammu and Kashmir needed a local government which understands the issues of people and resolve them, ” said Sajad Ahmad, a worker from PDP.
