"People have announced their verdict": JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah after winning from Budgam, Ganderbal

Omar Abdullah won both the assembly constituencies he was contesting in Kashmir on Tuesday. He won the Budgam seat by a margin of 18,485 votes against Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party's Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi. In Ganderbal, he won by a margin of 10,574 votes.

Speaking to media persons after winning from both the seats, Omar Abdullah said, "Democracy has prevailed in J-K after a long time. People have announced their verdict... The results of a few seats are yet to be announced, but one thing cannot be denied people have chosen NC."

"The shortcomings have been filled by our alliance partners... Now that I am standing in Ganderbal, I thank every voter of Ganderbal... People worked hard for one day and voted for me, now I will work hard for the next five years for their welfare," he added.

He further said that he will decide in a few days about which seat he will represent.

"We have to call a meeting of the Legislative party, elect a leader of the legislative party, sit with the alliance, and elect an alliance leader, after which we have to stake our claim for the government. I will decide in a few days about which seat I will continue to represent," Omar Abdullah stated.

Earlier today, National Conference chief and father of Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah stated that people have given their mandate in the Assembly polls and that Omar Abdullah will become 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 National Conference-Congress alliance likely crossing the majority mark in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

Speaking to reporters, Farooq said, "We want to tackle issues of unemployment, inflation and others. I am grateful to everybody for casting their votes. Omar Abdullah will be the chief minister."

As per the trends by the Election commission of India (ECI), National Conference-Congress alliance is on course to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the latest trends from the Election Commission, the National Conference is leading or has won 42 seats in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP is leading or has won 29 seats, Congress won 6 seats, PDP 3, JK People's Conference 1, and Independents 7.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he called the party's best performance so far in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to have delivered its best performance so far. The way our results are coming in, we have reached 29 seats, and we could go even further. Moreover, it is both coincidental and satisfying that we fought this election solely on the issue of development," said Singh. (ANI)