Srinagar: In a stunning verdict, the National Conference (NC) was on October 10 voted out of power with Congress and local People's Democratic Party (PDP) making surprisingly spectacular gains in the hung Assembly outcome, which is expected to bring these two parties together to cobble a coalition government.

In a near rout, the NC, which had long ruled the state, not only lost but its Chief Ministerial candidate and party president Omar Abdullah failed to win in Ganderbal. The outgoing Chief Minister and Omar's father Farooq Abdullah did not contest.

NC, which had a two-third majority of 57 in a House of 87, is likely to emerge as the single largest party with only five results yet to come. They have so far notched 24 seats.

PDP, formed by former Union Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, making its electoral debut, made a strong showing in the Valley and secured 15 seats.

The Congress riding a wave in the Jammu region has already secured 22 seats. It had eight seats in the existing House.

In the wake of the elections throwing up a hung verdict, small parties and independents are expected to play a crucial role in government formation by the Congress-PDP combine which may fall short of the half-way mark of 44 by a few seats.

PTI