Kashmir: People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Qazi Mohammed Afzal dealt a body blow to the aspirations of the National Conference by defeating its president and Chief Ministerial candidate Omar Abdullah in the Ganderbal Assembly constituency.

With the trends showing a hung Assembly with none of the three leading parties – Congress, NC and PDP – heading towards a clear majority, the stage seems to be set for a coalition government. The Congress and the PDP are likely to align to stake a claim though the local Congress leaders are dead against PDP leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

The National Conference will have to resign to sitting in the Opposition and a hint to that effect was given by party leader and member of Parliament Shaheen Siddiqui indicating to that affect.

With the early trend indicating that Omar Abdullah was trailing at the counting in Ganderbal, the NC leader left the polling booth and returned to his home a very disappointing man.

Meanwhile, PDP candidate Mohammad Khalil bagged the Pulwama seat defeating J and K minister and National Conference candidate Bashmir Ahmad Nengroo.

Agencies