In Controversial general elections in the subcontinent, a coalition of Islamic parties, which tapped strong anti-U.S. sentiment in Pakistan in its election campaign, is brimming with confidence that it has finally broken into the political mainstream while in Indian-ruled Kashmir, the family dynasty that has ruled the disputed Province on-and-off for more than half a century appeared headed for defeat on Thursday after early counting showed its party being savaged in a state election.

BREAKING INTO MAINSTREAM POLITICS IN PAKISTAN

As results trickled in early on Friday in Pakistan, the Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) alliance of six parties from the religious right took an early lead, although it was not expected to maintain that position as the count progressed.

But even limited inroads into parliament and Pakistan's four national assemblies, as now seems probable, would go down as a triumph for the grouping of struggling Islamic movements.

If their presence is as sizeable as they predict, the MMA could be a key player in a future coalition, raising the prospect of a showdown with President Pervez Musharraf over his decision to back the U.S.-led war on terror in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"It is a revolution," said Qazi Hussain Ahmed, MMA vice president and head of Jamaat-e-Islami, addressing supporters on Thursday on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) not far from the Afghan border.

"It is a revolution that will extend to other parts of the country. We will not accept U.S. bases and western culture," he said, before adding: "We don't want confrontation with the world. We will not make enemies. We will not take revenge."

Ahmed told Reuters in an interview last month that the MMA would seek a withdrawal of Pakistani support for the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan.

Musharraf is a key ally to Washington in its crackdown on the Taliban and al Qaeda and has banned several extremist Islamic groups in Pakistan, infuriating religious leaders. 

Musharraf's policy decision triggered a sudden breakdown in traditionally cozy relations between Pakistan's military and Islamic groups.

INDIAN-RULED KASHMIR'S RULINGIN DYNASTY SAVAGED IN POLL

In Indian-ruled Kashmir, the family dynasty that has ruled the disputed Province on-and-off for more than half a century appeared headed for defeat on Thursday after early counting showed its party being savaged in a state election.

Omar Abdullah, 32-year-old leader of the ruling National Conference, failed even to win his own seat as the party founded by his grandfather suffered a string of unexpected electoral defeats across Jammu and Kashmir state.

Indian television predicted the National Conference would fall well short of a majority in the 87-seat assembly, paving the way for a coalition between the Congress, the main national opposition party, and Kashmir's People's Democratic Party.

Counting was due to be completed later in the day after a bloody election campaign in which almost 750 people were killed.
Though the National Conference is pro-Delhi, analysts said a new government might paradoxically be good for India, bringing in people who had been marginalized in the past.

India is hoping to use the election to start talks on giving greater autonomy to the Muslim-majority state, and easing a nationalist uprising which is at the heart of a military standoff with nuclear-armed rival Pakistan.

Pakistan denies Indian allegations that it arms and trains the guerrillas and then helps them infiltrate into Indian Kashmir and elsewhere to attack Indian targets.

Pakistan, which says Kashmiris should be given a referendum on their future, with or without India, has contested the turnout and called the election a farce.


PHOTO CAPTION

(L) A polling offical puts a mark on the thumb of Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf with indelible ink before he casts his vote at a national park road polling station in Rawalpindi October 10, 2002. Pakistanis voted on Thursday in an election billed as a return to civilian rule, with a new party supporting military ruler Pervez Musharraf against a political mainstream whose exiled leaders are barred from standing. REUTERS/Press Information Department/Handout

( R) Qazi Afzal (L), candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is hugged by a supporter, after officials declared Afzal the winner of his constituency in Srinagar October 10, 2002. Qazi defeated Omar Abdullah, chief of Kashmir (news - web sites)'s ruling National Conference party, in Ganderbal constituency in state assembly elections, which were held in four phases in Kashmir region. REUTERS/Fayaz Kabli