Coalition govt. seen after Kashmir poll

SRINAGAR , India, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- State assembly elections in Indian-administered Kashmir produced no clear winner and the two leading parties were expected to form a coalition.

Results showed the National Conference party won 28 seats, while the Congress party secured 17 seats and a coalition would give them a simple majority in the 87-seat assembly, CNN reported Monday.

"We are ready to align with the Congress party to form the next government," National Conference President Omar Abdullah was quoted as saying.

The Congress party, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also leads the federal coalition in New Delhi.

The elections, held over seven stages since November to ensure security, were seen as a major victory of democratic forces over separatist groups in Muslim-majority Kashmir. A large turnout of voters ignored calls for boycott of the elections by separatist groups.

The state is divided between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming it.

The elections were preceded by violent protests by Muslim groups opposed to Indian administration.

The CNN report quoted the Indian election commission as saying the polls were the "most credible election in the state."