Correct Option: A

After more than two decades in power, the ruling National Conference (NC) was voted out by popular mandate in the 2002 Assembly elections in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The elections, held over four phases in September and October 2002, witnessed an average turnout of about 44 percent. The ruling NC, which had 57 seats in the 1996 assembly, was overwhelmingly voted out of power and could manage to retain only 28 seats in the 2002 elections. Observers termed the verdict as an anti-NC mandate of the people who clearly wanted a change in the State. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won all of its 16 seats in the Kashmir valley on an anti-NC and pro-people campaign. The Congress got 20 seats. The National Conference had maximum 28 seats, though it had been voted out of power. What made these elections different from those previously held in the State was that nearly all political parties, independent candidates, non-governmental groups, human rights activists, media (both domestic and foreign) and most importantly, the international community, appreciated the credibility of the elections and the results that followed it. Note : In 2014 General election people’s Democratic Party won 28 seats & Bharatiya Janata Party won 25 seats. And they together form Government.