BJP Maintains Control in Jammu, While Allies Underperform in Kashmir During First Assembly Election Following the Abrogation of Article 370.
The National Conference-Congress alliance is poised to form the new government in Jammu and Kashmir, having surpassed the halfway mark and leading in 51 out of 90 assembly constituencies.
This will be the first elected government since 2018 when governor’s rule was imposed in J&K after the BJP withdrew its support from then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Additionally, this will be the first elected government following the abrogation of Article 370 and the delimitation of seats in J&K.
According to the latest figures from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the National Conference is leading in 43 constituencies, the Congress in eight, the BJP in 26, the PDP in two, the Peoples Conference in two, and independent candidates in seven.
Omar Abdullah Poised for a Comfortable Win
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is enjoying a strong lead in both assembly constituencies he contested. He is ahead by 5,958 votes in Ganderbal and by 8,612 votes in Budgam.
“Relaxing in the garden and watching the results unfold on @deKoderdigital. As far back as I can remember, elections have always been accompanied by @PrannoyRoy7749 and his calm, noise-free analysis, so why should this one be any different! #elections #JammuKashmirAssemblyElection #JammuKashmir,” Omar posted on X along with pictures of himself watching the election results on his laptop.
Omar Abdullah is set to hold a press conference later this afternoon.
The Congress is leading in eight constituencies, five of which are in Kashmir. J&K unit president Tariq Hameed Karra has secured a strong lead in Central Shalteng, ahead by 10,263 votes.
“This victory reflects the will of the people and serves as a verdict against the BJP’s divisive policies and hate politics,” Karra stated.
The PDP, led by Mehbooba Mufti, did not perform well, leading in only two seats. In the 2014 elections, the PDP emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats.
Iltija Mufti Acknowledges Defeat
PDP leader Iltija Mufti conceded defeat on Tuesday as she was trailing by 4,334 votes in Sirgufwara-Bijbehara, with six out of the 12 counting rounds completed.
Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, shared on X: “I accept the people’s verdict. The love and support I received from everyone in Bijbehara will always remain with me. I am grateful to the PDP workers who dedicated themselves throughout this campaign.”
National Conference candidate Bashir Ahmad Veeri is leading in the constituency with 17,615 votes.
BJP Maintains Stronghold in Jammu Region
The BJP has delivered a strong performance in the Jammu region, leading in 26 constituencies. However, the party again failed to secure any seats in Kashmir, where it contested 19 seats. All of the BJP’s leads come from 10 districts in the Jammu region.
BJP state president Ravinder Raina is trailing by over 10,493 votes in Nowshera, where NC candidate Surinder Kumar Choudhary received 30,883 votes.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone is leading in Handwara by 1,175 votes.
In contrast, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari is trailing by 4,848 votes, and the party has yet to secure a lead in any of the 65 seats it contested in J&K.
Additionally, six independent candidates are leading in various constituencies.
While the BJP was optimistic about its allies performing well in Kashmir, most of them have struggled to make an impact.
Sources indicate that the leadership of Congress and NC may meet in Srinagar this evening to discuss staking a claim to form the new government.
