The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), led by former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah, is heading for a big victory in the first local elections after the erstwhile state lost its special status last year.
370 move rejected: Mufti
Results have made it clear that people of J&K voted en masse for @JKPAGD, ejecting the unconstitutional decision to abrogate Art 370 – Mehbooba Mufti, PDP
According to the latest trends, the alliance, a Kashmir-based amalgam of mainstream parties, including the NC and the PDP, is leading on 113 seats, followed by the BJP (69) and the Congress (23). The BJP has, however, been able to make inroads into the Valley by winning three seats.
In Jammu division, the BJP is ahead on 66 seats, while the Gupkar alliance is winning 37. In Kashmir, the alliance is leading on 75 seats, while the BJP is ahead on three.
Voting was held for 280 seats, 14 each in all 20 districts of the UT, in eight phases over 25 days.
As per the latest trends, the Gupkar alliance and the Congress together are likely to win 13 district councils, while the BJP and its allies are set to win six. Among prominent winners is PDP youth wing president Waheed Para, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged links with militants. The PAGD was formed in protest against the Centre’s decision to abrogate special status of the erstwhile state and its division into two Union Territories.
