Congress would emerge winner in Kashmir: Saifuddin Soz

Srinagar, Dec 28 (IANS) Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz said Sunday that he is hopeful the Congress will emerge winner and form the government in Jammu and Kashmir.

'My hope is the Congress will emerge winner. We must accept the verdict of the people. After the results come in, our party will follow a system of consultation,' the Congress leader from Kashmir told reporters as counting of votes polled for the 87-member assembly was underway.

He said the Congress holds the key to leading a coalition in the state. 'We have the support of the independents. No coalition could be formed without us,' he added.

Soz also discounted any alliance between the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as he did a coalition between the NC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

'The Congress alone can determine the chemistry of the coalition. The Congress will do what suits the nation's interest and party objectives,' he said.

About the impressive polling of an estimated 63 percent in the state, he said people came out to vote in large numbers as they were 'fed up with extremism and want to enjoy democracy and a peaceful life'.