2008 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election

State assembly election in India April 2018 April 2018 2008 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election Jammu and Kashmir (state) parliamentary 2002 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election 2002 17 November 2008 to 24 December 2008 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election 2014 All 87 seats in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly 44 61.16% (17.46%) Farooq Abdullah addressing at the presentation ceremony of the Cash Prizes to the best performing Regional Rural Banks and Certificates for extending loans for SPV home lighting systems during 2009-10, in New Delhi (cropped).jpg 130 100 120 16 05 Farooq Abdullah Jammu & Kashmir National Conference 28 28 23.07% 5.17% Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Indian National Congress Omar Abdullah Jammu & Kashmir National Conference Mehbooba Mufti addressing a press conference in Srinagar.jpg 130 100 120 16 0 Mehbooba Mufti Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party 16 21 5 15.39% 6.11% Ghulam Nabi Azad-cropped.JPG 130 100 120 16 0 Indian National Congress 20 17 3 17.71% 6.53% Dr Nirmal Singh BJP Jammu and Kashmir.jpg 130 100 120 16 20 Nirmal Kumar Singh Bharatiya Janata Party 1 11 10 12.45% 3.88% Indian Election Symbol Cycle.png 115 100 100 08 0 Bhim Singh Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party 4 3 1 3.33% 0.5% Ghulam Nabi Azad Elections for the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir were held over seven days in November and December 2008. The previous government led by the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP) in coalition with the Indian National Congress (INC) collapsed when the PDP withdrew. Following the election, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC) agreed on a coalition with Congress and their leader, Omar Abdullah became the state's youngest-ever Chief Minister at 38. Background Elections for the Jammu and Kashmir state Assembly were due in 2008, following the end of the term of the Assembly elected in 2002. However, the PDP withdrew from the INC-led state government in protest at the Amarnath land transfer decision. The INC government resigned in July 2008 and the state was brought under the direct rule of the central government pending the elections.Amarnath row divides Jammu and Kashmir https://web.archive.org/web/20080810002045/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080060403 2008-08-10 NDTV, 16 August 2008 Parties Party FlagElectoral symbolLeaderSeats contestedIndian National CongressIndian National Congress50px50pxGhulam Nabi Azad78Jammu & Kashmir National ConferenceJammu & Kashmir National Conference50px50pxFarooq Abdullah85Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic PartyJammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party 50px 50pxMufti Mohammed Sayeed78Bharatiya Janata PartyBharatiya Janata Party50px50pxNirmal Kumar Singh64 Boycott The main Kashmiri separatist group, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference called on Kashmiris to boycott the elections, saying the elections were a "futile exercise" that would never "fulfill the aspirations of the people".APHC to boycott Kashmir elections later this yearApril 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Pakistan Times, 11 May 2008 Despite these boycott calls, NC leaders claimed that activists from Jamaat-e-Islami had come out and voted for the PDP.Despite boycott call, Jamaat cadres come out in support of PDP Indian Express, 23 December 2008 There were scattered separatist protests throughout the elections, including hundreds who protested in Srinagar. Police prevented these protestors from marching to the center of the city which led to protestors throwing stones at the police who fired tear gas and used baton charges.Voting ends in Indian Kashmir amid heavy security International Herald Tribune, 24 December 2008 Security Indian election officials voiced major concerns about the security of the elections given the calls for a boycott and protest from separatist leaders and the recent violence over the Amarnath land transfer controversy. Voting was staggered so that security forces could maintain control. Thousands of security forces were deployed during the voting. In Srinagar, security forces were posted at junctions, patrolled the streets, and guarded polling stations. An unofficial curfew was enforced, gatherings of more than five people banned and neighborhoods were sealed off with steel barricades and razor wire. Police also arrested three men they accused of being Jaish-e-Mohammed members planning suicide attacks in Jammu.Clashes mark final Kashmir poll BBC News, 24 December 2008 One of those arrested was a soldier in the Army of Pakistan, who Pakistan said had deserted in 2006. However following the polls the NC leader, Farooq Abdullah, thanked the Pakistan government for their "non-interference" with the polls.Pakistan conundrum hangs over Kashmir poll success The Hindu, 30 December 2008 Results The seven stages of the elections were held as follows: thumb|Voting stages Date Seats Turnout Monday 17 November 10 69.02% Sunday 23 November 6 68.29% Sunday 30 November 5 68.22% Sunday 7 December 18 59.24% Saturday 13 December 11 58.5% Wednesday 17 December 16 65.93% Wednesday 24 December 21 52.0% Total 87 60.5% Source:http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/19jk.htm 7-phase poll in J&K from November 17 Rediff 19 October 2008 24 April 2018 Low voter turnout in final phase, Rediff India, 2008-12-24 Turnout rose by 17%, despite calls from Kashmiri separatists and Pakistan for Kashmiris to boycott the election.Abdullahs back in J&K Times of India, 29 December 2009 INC head Sonia Gandhi described the polls as "a triumph of Indian democracy". Separatist supporters were said to have backed the PDP. The BJP's increase in support was said to be due to polarisation arising from the Amarnath land transfer controversy, which led it to increase its seat tally from 1 to 11 seats.BJP fields more Muslim candidates in J&K to shrug off communal tag 1,354 candidates stood for election including 517 independents and nominees from 43 political parties.35 political parties failed to win a seat in J&K polls Rediff India, 29 December 2008 Summary Summary of the November - December 2008 Jammu and Kashmir state assembly election results |- !colspan=10|File:India Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly 2008.svg |- ! style="background-color:#E9E9E9;text-align:center;" |Party ! style="background-color:#E9E9E9;text-align:center;" |Flag ! style="background-color:#E9E9E9;text-align:center;" |Seats ! style="background-color:#E9E9E9;text-align:center;" |+/– |- | style="text-align:left;" |National Conference | style="text-align:left;" |75px | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 28 | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 0 |- | style="text-align:left;" |People's Democratic Party | style="text-align:left;" | | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 21 | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 5 |- | style="text-align:left;" |Indian National Congress | style="text-align:left;" | | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 17 | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 3 |- | style="text-align:left;" |Bharatiya Janata Party | style="text-align:left;" | | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 11 | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 10 |- | style="text-align:left;" |Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party | style="text-align:left;" |75px | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 3 | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 1 |- | style="text-align:left;" |Communist Party of India (Marxist) | style="text-align:left;" |75px | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 1 | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 1 |- | style="text-align:left;" |People's Democratic Front | style="text-align:left;" | | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 1 | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | |- | style="text-align:left;" |Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Party Nationalist | style="text-align:left;" | | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 1 | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | |- | style="text-align:left;" | Independents | style="text-align:left;" | | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | 4 | style="text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | |- | style="text-align:left;background-color:#E9E9E9" colspan=2|Total (turnout 60.5%) ! style="text-align:right;background-color:#E9E9E9"| 87 ! style="text-align:right;background-color:#E9E9E9"| |- | style="text-align:left;" colspan=12 |Source: Electoral Commission of IndiaDecember 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes |} Elected members Results by constituency Winner, runner-up, voter turnout, and victory margin in every constituencyElection Commission of India Statistical Report on General Election, 2008 to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir https://ceojk.nic.in/pdf/10-Detailed%20Results.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20241225073739/https://ceojk.nic.in/pdf/10-Detailed%20Results.pdf 25 December 2024 25 December 2024 pdfAssembly ConstituencyTurnout WinnerRunner UpMargin #k Names% Candidate Party Votes% Candidate Party Votes%1Karnah79.65%Kafil-ur-RehmanJammu & Kashmir National Conference4,11019.15%Abdul Rehman BhadanaJammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference2,96213.8%1,1482Kupwara62.43%Saifullah MirJammu & Kashmir National Conference16,69630.07%Fayaz Ahmad MirJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party11,51420.74%5,1823Lolab68.15%Abdul Haq KhanJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party23,33740.67%Qaysar Jamshaid LoneJammu & Kashmir National Conference17,99031.35%5,3474Handwara75.58%Chowdary Mohammed RamzanJammu & Kashmir National Conference27,90748.38%Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din SofiIndependent politician16,31728.29%11,5905Langate61.33%Sheikh Abdul RashidIndependent politician7,96421.86%Mohammed Sultan PandithporiJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party7,75421.29%2106Uri81.73%Taj MohiuddinIndian National Congress24,03644.54%Mohammad ShafiJammu & Kashmir National Conference22,15741.06%1,8797Rafiabad51.86%Javid Ahmad DarJammu & Kashmir National Conference13,19835.89%Mohammad Dilawar MirJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party12,98235.3%2168Sopore19.96%Mohammed Ashraf GanieJammu & Kashmir National Conference4,36824.24%Abdul Rashid DarIndian National Congress3,30418.34%1,0649Gurez74.02%Nazir Ahmad KhanJammu & Kashmir National Conference5,81751.06%Faqeer Ahmad KhanIndian National Congress5,08544.64%73210Bandipora57.08%Nizam Uddin BhatJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party13,05126.1%Usman Abdul MajidIndependent politician12,23124.46%82011Sonawari59.95%Mohammad Akbar LoneJammu & Kashmir National Conference20,10839.74%Abid Hussain AnsariIndependent politician7,95115.71%12,15712Sangrama46.61%Syed Basharat AhmadJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party7,81228.09%Shoaib Nabi LoneIndependent politician6,48223.31%1,33013Baramulla33.31%Muzaffar Hussain BaigJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party13,01953.46%Nazir Hussain KhanJammu & Kashmir National Conference7,62131.29%5,39814Gulmarg59.8%Ghulam Hassan MirJammu & Kashmir Democratic Party Nationalist18,25336.81%Sheikh Mustafa KamalJammu & Kashmir National Conference11,81223.82%6,44115Pattan50.84%Iftikhar Hussain AnsariJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party20,70351.14%Abdul Rashid ShaheenJammu & Kashmir National Conference9,43223.3%11,27116Kangan59.53%Mian Altaf Ahmed LarviJammu & Kashmir National Conference19,21054.98%Mian Bashir AhmedJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party11,49532.9%7,71517Ganderbal51.73%Omar AbdullahJammu & Kashmir National Conference16,51941.49%Qazi Mohammad AfzalJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party8,30420.85%8,21518Hazratbal28.91%Farooq AbdullahJammu & Kashmir National Conference11,04144.66%AsieaJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party6,76927.38%4,27219Zadibal17.3%Peer Aafaq AhmedJammu & Kashmir National Conference4,33534.89%Shahi Jahan DarJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party3,09424.9%1,24120Eidgah22.07%Mubarak Ahmed GulJammu & Kashmir National Conference4,45735.97%Asifa Tariq QaraJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party2,77822.42%1,67921Khanyar17.41%Ali Mohammad SagarJammu & Kashmir National Conference6,31474.16%Showkat Ahmad HafizJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party8069.47%5,50822Habba Kadal11.62%Shamim FirdousJammu & Kashmir National Conference2,37441.14%Hira Lal ChattaBharatiya Janata Party67211.65%1,70223Amira Kadal14.96%Nasir Aslam WaniJammu & Kashmir National Conference3,91234.75%Parvaiz Ahmed BhatJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party3,10327.56%80924Sonawar36.66%Farooq AbdullahJammu & Kashmir National Conference7,01828.23%Sheikh Ghulam Qadir PardesiJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party6,92427.86%9425Batmaloo19.96%Mohammed Irfan ShahJammu & Kashmir National Conference9,44744.83%Tariq Hameed KarraJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party6,73831.97%2,70926Chadoora53.79%Javaid Mustafa MirJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party16,27841.36%Ali Mohammad DarJammu & Kashmir National Conference13,33833.89%2,94027Budgam55.17%Aga Syed Ruhullah MehdiJammu & Kashmir National Conference19,65240.15%Mohammed Kamal MalikJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party9,69219.8%9,96028Beerwah57.18%Shafi Ahmad WaniJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party11,72024.42%Abdul Majid MatooJammu & Kashmir National Conference11,55624.08%16429Khan Sahib74.73%Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen ShahPeople's Democratic Front (Jammu and Kashmir)22,61641.94%Saif Ud Din BhatJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party14,22126.37%8,39530Charari Sharief74.58%Abdul Rahim RatherJammu & Kashmir National Conference24,57948.3%Ghulam Nabi LoneJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party18,20435.78%6,37531Tral48.69%Mushtaq Ahmad ShahJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party10,39328.47%Mohammed Ashraf BhatJammu & Kashmir National Conference6,58618.04%3,80732Pampore43.43%Zahoor Ahmad MirJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party11,11736.84%Mohammed Anwar BhatIndian National Congress5,96919.78%5,14833Pulwama40.84%Mohammad Khalil BandhJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party10,63936.45%Sonaullah DarIndependent politician4,00313.71%6,63634Rajpora50.61%Syed Bashir Ahmad ShahJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party10,17725.12%Ghulam Mohi Uddin MirIndependent politician9,23022.79%94735Wachi48.55%Mehbooba MuftiJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party12,81037.96%Showkat Hussain GanieJammu & Kashmir National Conference4,47413.26%8,33636Shopian52.72%Abdul Razaq WagayJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party8,00621.23%Mohammed ShafiIndian National Congress5,20813.81%2,79837Noorabad74.1%Sakeena AkhtarJammu & Kashmir National Conference16,24035.23%Abdul Aziz ZargarJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party11,72225.43%4,51838Kulgam61.61%Mohamad Yousuf TarigamiCommunist Party of India (Marxist)17,17534.24%Nazir Ahmad LawayJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party16,93933.77%23639Hom Shali Bugh54.36%Abdul Gafar SofiJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party12,24933.74%Abdul MajeedJammu & Kashmir National Conference7,43920.49%4,81040Anantnag41.22%Mufti Mohammad SayeedJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party12,43939.49%Mirza Mehboob BeighJammu & Kashmir National Conference7,54823.96%4,89141Devsar68.36%Mohammed Sartaj MadniJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party14,17526.79%Peerzada Ghulam AhmadJammu & Kashmir National Conference10,17419.23%4,00142Dooru69.83%Ghulam Ahmad MirIndian National Congress15,87036.19%Syed Farooq Ahmad AndrabiJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party9,95222.69%5,91843Kokernag70.35%Peerzada Mohammad SyedIndian National Congress13,38426.75%Ghulam Nabi BhatJammu & Kashmir National Conference12,11424.21%1,27044Shangus–Anantnag East69.29%Peerzada Mansoor HussainJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party13,85327.99%Gulzar Ahmad WaniIndian National Congress12,42325.1%1,43045Srigufwara–Bijbehara60.75%Abdul Rehman BhatJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party23,32049.88%Bashir Ahmad Shah VeeriJammu & Kashmir National Conference13,04627.9%10,27446Pahalgam70.25%Rafi Ahmad MirJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party24,31649.29%Altaf Ahmad WaniJammu & Kashmir National Conference13,39427.15%10,92247Nubra71.26%Tsetan NamgyalIndependent politician4,60853.48%Tsewang RigzinIndian National Congress3,67842.68%93048Leh61.05%Nawang RigzinIndian National Congress19,00850.5%Thupstan ChhewangIndependent politician17,48546.45%1,52349Kargil75.05%Qamar Ali AkhoonJammu & Kashmir National Conference22,93553.64%Haji Nissar AliIndependent politician17,63541.24%5,30050Zanskar72.2%Feroz Ahmed KhanJammu & Kashmir National Conference6,55244.72%Ghulam RazaIndian National Congress5,63438.45%91851Kishtwar74.46%Sajjad Ahmad KichlooJammu & Kashmir National Conference19,24837.48%Sunil Kumar SharmaBharatiya Janata Party16,78332.68%2,46552Inderwal72.81%Ghulam Mohammad SarooriIndian National Congress22,68442.67%Shakti RajBharatiya Janata Party12,26923.08%10,41553Doda73.05%Abdul Majid WaniIndian National Congress23,25444.55%Khalid Najib SuharwardyJammu & Kashmir National Conference16,10230.85%7,15254Bhaderwah65.29%Ghulam Nabi AzadIndian National Congress38,23862.86%Daya KrishanBharatiya Janata Party8,80214.47%29,43655Ramban (SC)65.59%Ashok KumarIndian National Congress21,77943.47%Bali BhagatBharatiya Janata Party11,46022.88%10,31956Banihal67.94%Vikar Rasool WaniIndian National Congress8,28717.38%Showket Javeed DaingIndependent politician5,25411.02%3,03357Gulabgarh77.66%Abdul Ghani MalikJammu & Kashmir National Conference14,26831.28%Haji Mumtaz Ahmad KhanIndependent politician11,02024.16%3,24858Reasi73.61%Baldev RajBharatiya Janata Party26,03137.01%Jugal KishoreIndian National Congress19,36927.54%6,66259Gool Arnas76.7%Ajaz Ahmed KhanIndian National Congress15,59437.05%Ghulam Qadir MughalJammu & Kashmir National Conference12,14228.85%3,45260Udhampur68.64%Balwant Singh MankotiaJammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party25,25935.49%Pawan Kumar GuptaBharatiya Janata Party22,49431.61%2,76561Chenani57.37%Krishan ChanderIndian National Congress16,27635.47%Dina Nath BhagatBharatiya Janata Party9,83821.44%6,43862Ramnagar64.54%Harsh Dev SinghJammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party30,60947.18%Vinod KhajuriaBahujan Samaj Party18,46328.46%12,14663Bani76.09%Lal ChandBharatiya Janata Party11,04139.57%Ghulam Haider MalikJammu & Kashmir National Conference8,79231.51%2,24964Basohli69.8%Jagdish Raj SapoliaBharatiya Janata Party16,65135.25%Davinder SinghJammu & Kashmir National Conference13,77029.15%2,88165Kathua72.98%Charanjit SinghIndependent politician19,12325.82%Som Raj MajotraBahujan Samaj Party16,76122.63%2,36266Billawar70.9%Manohar Lal SharmaIndian National Congress22,26235.78%Satish Kumar SharmaBharatiya Janata Party13,87922.31%8,38367Hiranagar (SC)66.03%Durga DassBharatiya Janata Party19,73030.5%Prem LalIndependent politician16,99326.27%2,73768Samba (SC)72.52%Yash Paul KundalJammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party14,63127.15%Satwant KourBharatiya Janata Party12,64223.45%1,98969Vijaypur80.27%Surjeet Singh SlathiaJammu & Kashmir National Conference21,09027.21%Chader Prakash SharmaBharatiya Janata Party19,87825.64%1,21270Nagrota79.33%Jugal Kishore SharmaBharatiya Janata Party11,14122.76%M. K. Ajat ShatruJammu & Kashmir National Conference9,52119.45%1,62071Gandhinagar64.15%Raman BhallaIndian National Congress33,48636.34%Nirmal SinghBharatiya Janata Party31,22333.89%2,26372Jammu East60.71%Ashok Kumar KhajuriaBharatiya Janata Party15,90750.72%Narender SinghIndian National Congress5,47417.45%10,43373Jammu West60.85%Chaman Lal GuptaBharatiya Janata Party34,28840.26%Surinder Singh ShangariIndependent politician21,25124.95%13,03774Bishnah75.77%Ashwani Kumar SharmaIndependent politician14,07822.46%Kamal VermaBahujan Samaj Party13,58921.68%48975Ranbir Singh Pora–Jammu South (SC)76.56%Gharu Ram BhagatBharatiya Janata Party15,90228.95%Suman Lata BhagatIndian National Congress14,27225.98%1,63076Suchetgarh79.8%Sham Lal ChoudharyBharatiya Janata Party17,99539.39%Taranjeet SinghJammu & Kashmir National Conference10,40322.77%7,59277Marh81.97%Sukh Nandan KumarBharatiya Janata Party18,36835.04%Ajay SadhotraJammu & Kashmir National Conference11,78722.49%6,58178Raipur Domana (SC)70.55%Bharat BhushanBharatiya Janata Party28,68547.78%Mulla RamIndian National Congress16,41627.34%12,26979Akhnoor79.68%Sham Lal SharmaIndian National Congress31,60047.97%Govind Ram SharmaBharatiya Janata Party17,71626.89%13,88480Chhamb (SC)78.35%Tara ChandIndian National Congress25,33548.59%Chaman LalBharatiya Janata Party22,94044.%2,39581Nowshera73.07%Radhay Sham SharmaJammu & Kashmir National Conference16,51126.47%Romesh Chander SharmaIndian National Congress12,69120.35%3,82082Darhal77.37%Chowdhary Zulfkar AliJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party19,39928.55%Mohammed Iqbal MalikIndependent politician14,85821.87%4,54183Rajouri70.12%Shabir Ahmed KhanIndian National Congress10,01313.63%Tasadiq HussainJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party9,68013.18%33384Kalakote73.32%Rachhpal SinghJammu & Kashmir National Conference25,31445.62%Ashok Kumar SharmaIndependent politician13,89425.04%11,42085Surankote74.92%Aslam Chowdhary MohammadIndian National Congress28,10244.22%Mushtaq Ahmed Shah BukhariJammu & Kashmir National Conference26,05140.99%2,05186Mendhar77.85%Sardar Rafiq Hussain KhanJammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party29,03647.63%Javed Ahmed RanaJammu & Kashmir National Conference28,29446.42%74287Poonch Haveli74.37%Ajaz Ahmed JanJammu & Kashmir National Conference28,29739.62%Chaudhary Bashir Ahmed NaazIndian National Congress18,36425.71%9,933 Government formation Former National Conference Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, said he did not want to return as it "required the energy of a younger man", and nominated his son, Omar Abdullah, and the head of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference instead.Kashmiri parties in coalition bid BBC News, 29 December 2008 Congress debated forming a coalition with either Conference or the PDP. It was reported that the PDP had offered to support a Congress candidate for Chief Minister if they joined with them. However, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi were reported to favor the largest party to "honor the mandate" of the election.Cong dilemma: young Omar or PDP Calcutta Telegraph, 29 December 2008 On 30 December Congress and the National Conference agreed to form a coalition government, with Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister.Pro-India parties to take power in Indian Kashmir International Herald Tribune, 30 December 2008 References j 2008 2008