December 29, 2008	Monday	Zilhaj 30, 1429

SRINAGAR, Dec 28: No clear winner was likely to emerge from elections in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday, and a period of uncertainty was expected before a coalition was cobbled together.

Counting of votes for 87 assembly seats in the disputed territory was winding up on Sunday after a marathon election that ended on Wednesday in occupied Srinagar.

Jammu and Kashmir came under New Delhi’s direct rule in July after a People’s Democratic Party-led coalition government fell over a land dispute. The controversy became the trigger for some of Kashmir’s biggest anti-India protests since a revolt against New Delhi’s rule began in 1989.

The National Conference party, the largest pro-India party in the territory, appeared set to become the biggest winner after claiming 13 seats in early counting and leading in 14 more, but still well short of a majority.

India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party won nine and was leading in two others in the Jammu region. The People’s Democratic Party won 11 and India’s ruling Congress party won eight.

“We are open to an alliance with Congress,” National Conference president Omar Abdullah told reporters.

More than 50 per cent of Kashmiri voters took part in the elections. The voting passed relatively peacefully compared with previous polls.—Reuters