J&K Bypoll: BJP wins Nagrota seat, PDP creates history in Budgam

SRINAGAR (KIMS) — The BJP on Friday clinched a landslide victory in the Nagrota Assembly by-poll, while the PDP created history by winning the Budgam seat for the first time.

According to official data from the Election Commission of India, BJP candidate Devyani Rana won the Nagrota seat with 42,350 votes, securing a massive victory margin of 24,647 votes.

Harsh Dev Singh of the J&K National Panthers Party (India) finished second with 17,703 votes, followed by J&K National Conference’s Shamim Begum with 10,872 votes. Independent candidate Anil Sharma secured 842 votes, while J&K Apni Party’s Bodh Raj secured with 392 votes.

Soon after the ECI formally announced her victory, the BJP celebrated at its Jammu headquarters, where the party leadership honoured Devyani Rana for securing a thumping win in Nagrota. This was her first election, and she registered a decisive victory on her debut.

In Budgam, PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi emerged victorious with 21,576 votes, defeating J&K National Conference’s Aga Syed Mahmood Al-Mosavi, who secured 17,098 votes. Independent candidates Jibran Dar security 7,152 votes, Nazir Ahmad Khan 3,089 votes, and Muntazir Mohi-ud-Din 3,030 votes.

Soon after the victory announcement, celebrations broke out at Muntazir Mehdi’s residence in Budgam, where family members, supporters and party workers gathered to mark the historic win.

This is a historic victory for the PDP, marking the first time the party has ever won the Budgam seat. With this victory, the PDP’s tally has risen to four seats — three won in the 2024 Assembly elections and one secured today.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti congratulated Aga Muntazir Mehdi, saying on X: “Hats off to the people of Budgam for placing their faith and trust in PDP’s Aga Muntazir Sahab.”

The by-polls saw impressive public participation, with Nagrota recording 75.08% turnout and Budgam registering 50.02% turnout.

The Nagrota by-poll was necessitated by the demise of Devender Singh Rana, father of Devyani Rana, on October 31, 2024 — days after winning the Nagrota seat.

The Budgam seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah opted to retain the Ganderbal constituency after winning both seats in the 2024 Assembly elections.

Polling was held on November 11, and the results were declared today. — (KIMS)