In the Bijbehara-Srigufwara constituency of south Kashmir, a high-stakes election battle unfolded between Iltija Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference’s (NC) Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri). In the 2014 Assembly elections, Abdul Rehman Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) won the seat, defeating Bashir Ahmad Shah of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) by a margin of 2,868 votes. Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has conceded defeat in the assembly elections as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by her mother, faces one of its worst performances. In an online statement, she expressed her acceptance of the people’s verdict and gratitude to her party’s workers. “I accept the verdict of the people. The love and affection I received in Bijbehara will always remain with me. My heartfelt thanks to PDP workers who campaigned tirelessly,” said Mufti, as votes continue to be counted in the region’s first assembly elections in a decade. Mufti lost to National Conference’s Bahir Ahmad Veeri by a margin of 9,770 votes. The loss highlights a setback for the PDP as the National Conference continues to consolidate its influence in the region.
Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the Lieutenant Governor has the authority to nominate five members to the Assembly, including representation for Kashmiri Pandits and refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). However, Congress leaders have argued that this power should be exercised only on the advice of the council of ministers, which will be formed after the election. Senior Congress leader Ravinder Sharma criticized the potential move, calling it an attack on democratic principles. He urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to refrain from approving these nominations before the government is formed, labelling it a violation of constitutional norms.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti faced a significant defeat in the elections, losing to National Conference's Bahir Ahmad Veeri by a margin of 9,770 votes. The loss highlights a setback for the PDP as the National Conference continues to consolidate its influence in the region.
Engineer Rashid, Awami Ittehad Party Chief and Baramulla MP, called for the INDIA bloc, PDP, and other parties in Jammu and Kashmir to unite and not form a government until statehood is restored. He urged these parties to pressure the Union government for statehood, asserting that any government formed under Union Territory status would have limited rights. Rashid also demanded the reinstatement of the historic 'Darbar Move' to strengthen ties between Jammu and Srinagar. The Darbar Move, a bi-annual tradition of shifting the secretariat between the two cities, was a significant cultural bond between the regions.
People's Conference president and Handwara candidate Sajad Gani Lone declared victory, stating, "It's a massive win. We've won. I urge the Centre to stop experimenting and restore statehood, allowing the people here to live in peace. Our focus will be on working for the region's development."
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Mehraj Malik secured a significant win in the Doda Assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir, defeating BJP's Gajay Singh Rana by a margin of 4,770 votes. This victory marks the AAP's entry into yet another state, following its successes in Punjab and Gujarat. The win is seen as a crucial step for AAP in expanding its national presence, demonstrating its growing appeal beyond traditional strongholds. Malik's triumph adds momentum to the party’s efforts in becoming a key player in national politics, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
PDP's Iltija Mufti is trailing by over 8,000 votes against National Conference's Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri) after 11 rounds of voting. According to the latest trends, Mufti has garnered over 22,534 votes, while Shah has received over 32,292 votes. In the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region, a total of 90 seats are being contested, with 24 seats voting in the first phase, 26 in the second phase, and 40 in the third phase. The counting will determine the fate of 873 candidates.
National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sakina Masood has won her third assembly election from the D H Pora seat in Jammu and Kashmir. She defeated her PDP rival, Gulzar Ahmad Dar, by over 17,000 votes, securing 36,623 votes compared to Dar's 19,174. Former minister Abdul Majeed Padder finished a distant fourth with just 2,974 votes. This victory marks Masood's third win from this constituency, formerly known as Noorabad, which was redrawn and renamed following the delimitation exercise. Her previous wins came in 1996 and 2008, highlighting her continued popularity in the region.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina expressed confidence that his party will win 35 seats in the Assembly elections and form the government with support from independent and like-minded candidates. Raina stated that the BJP would cross the 50-seat majority mark by allying with independents, who are expected to win around 15 seats. He highlighted the strong public support witnessed during rallies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Raina also defended the Lieutenant Governor’s nomination of five MLAs, stating that it was being done under the Reorganisation Act passed by Parliament.
Omar Abdullah has emerged victorious in the Budgam constituency, solidifying his position as a key leader in the region. With this win, the National Conference-Congress alliance is on track to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant shift in the political landscape following the recent elections.
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal emphasized the importance of hard work and unity ahead of upcoming elections. He stated, “Elections should never be taken lightly, and overconfidence is the biggest lesson from today’s results. Every seat is tough, and we need to work hard.” Kejriwal stressed the need to avoid infighting, highlighting the AAP’s role in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. He added, “The public expects basic services like cleanliness. If we ensure cleanliness in our areas, we will win the elections. Our main goal should be to secure victory in these elections.”
With the counting underway, security has been tightened across Jammu and Kashmir on October 8. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amod Ashok Nagpure announced a three-tier security arrangement at counting venues, with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), State Armed Police, and district police managing different layers of protection. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) officers will supervise security at strong rooms and counting halls. Traffic will be restricted within a 100-meter radius, declared a "No Pedestrian Zone." Only those with proper identification will be allowed to enter the counting centres to ensure smooth proceedings.
The National Conference-Congress alliance is poised to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir, with Tuesday's poll trends showing the coalition leading in 51 of the 90 seats. The BJP is leading in 28 seats, while both the National Conference and BJP have secured two seats each. The Election Commission trends indicate the PDP is leading in two seats, Peoples Conference in two, and Independents in six. The National Conference leads in 43 seats, with its ally Congress ahead in seven. NC Vice President Omar Abdullah urged against any "fiddling" with the mandate, reflecting confidence in the results.
The PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir was short-lived, as the BJP withdrew its support from former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s party in 2018. This led to the imposition of central rule over the region, affecting its governance. In recent developments, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed several key leaders as constituency in-charges: Abdul Rehman Veeri from Anantnag East, Sartaj Ahmad Madani from Devsar, Mehboob Beg from Anantnag, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura from Chrar-e-Shareef, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Wani from Watchi, and Rafiq Ahmad Naik from Tral. Additionally, PDP youth leader Waheed-ur Rehman Parra will oversee the Pulwama constituency, having previously contested the parliamentary polls from the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.
Bijbehara is the assembly constituency where Iltija Mufti's mother, Mehbooba Mufti, made her electoral debut in 1996 as a Congress candidate. The seat holds significant political importance for the Mufti family, considered their stronghold. Iltija's grandfather, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, won the election from Bijbehara in 1967, establishing a legacy of leadership in the region. With Iltija contesting the elections, she represents the third generation of the Mufti family to seek office from this constituency, emphasising the family's enduring influence and connection to Bijbehara's political landscape. Mehbooba lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in South Kashmir.
The three-phase Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir wrapped up on October 1, witnessing a voter turnout of 63.88 per cent. Shah’s remarks come as the political landscape of J&K remains tense, with the results of the elections set to be announced on October 8.
Ahead of the election results, political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have raised concerns over Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s authority to nominate five legislators to the 90-member Assembly of the Union Territory. The J&K Delimitation Commission, in May 2022, increased the number of Assembly seats by seven — six in Jammu and one in Kashmir — under the Delimitation Act, 2002, and the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019. This brought the Assembly's total seats to 90, with Jammu now holding 43 seats and Kashmir 47, shifting the political balance in the UT.
Leading from the Rajpora constituency, JKNC leader Gh Mohi Ud Din Mir announced a 9,000-vote lead after six rounds of counting. He expressed confidence, stating, "This lead will increase, and I will win by 12,000-13,000 votes. National Conference will form an alliance government with Congress. I thank my voters for their support."
PDP leader Iltija Mufti criticised the incoming Jammu and Kashmir government, claiming it will be a “toothless tiger,” with the chief minister acting as a “rubber stamp” and “glorified mayor” of a municipality. As J&K prepares for a new government following Assembly elections held after a decade, Iltija voiced her concerns about the lack of authority granted to the new administration. She pointed to the Lieutenant Governor's authority in nominating MLAs and altering transaction rules, questioning how much further the Government of India will diminish J&K’s autonomy.
CPI(M) candidate Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami is leading from the Kulgam constituency by a margin of 3,654 votes after four out of 21 rounds of counting, according to the latest Election Commission data. Tarigami's strong performance reflects significant support as the counting progresses in this crucial electoral contest.
The Congress and the National Conference (NC) have allied to contest the assembly elections, aiming to consolidate their influence in Jammu and Kashmir. Other parties in the electoral race include the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the People’s Conference, among others. The political landscape has been turbulent since the 2014 assembly elections when a coalition government was established between the PDP and BJP. However, this alliance fell apart in 2018 when the BJP withdrew its support from former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's PDP, leading to significant shifts in the region's political dynamics.
The assembly elections held on September 18 featured several key constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in South Kashmir, which was once a stronghold of militancy. The constituencies that participated included Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, and Pahalgam. In the Jammu region, the seats that voted were Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal. This election phase highlights the significant electoral engagement in areas historically impacted by conflict.
Waheed Ur Rehman Para, the J&K PDP candidate from Pulwama, expressed optimism about the election trends, stating, "We are hopeful that people will support our manifesto. Clarity will emerge in a few hours. Once the mandate is clear, our real challenge lies ahead as we fight for Article 370 and statehood." Currently, Para is leading by 3,650 votes after 7 out of 12 counting rounds, according to Election Commission trends.
I accept the verdict of the people. The love & affection I received from everyone in Bijbehara will always stay with me. Gratitude to my PDP workers who worked so hard throughout this campaign, tweets PDP’s Iltija Mufti as she trails in Bijbehara.
PDP candidate from Srigufwara–Bijbehara constituency, Iltija Mufti trailing by a margin of 4334 votes after round 6/12 of counting as per latest EC data. NC's Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeeri leading from this seat. ‘Accept verdict of people,’ says PDP’s Iltija Mufti as she trails in Bijbehara.
In the first phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, approximately 61% voter turnout was recorded by 11:30 PM on September 18, as reported by the Election Commission of India. This figure is expected to rise as final counts are processed. The highest voter turnout was observed in the Inderwal seat, with around 82%, followed by Kishtwar, which saw a turnout of about 78%. The 24 assembly seats are spread across seven districts, and the turnout percentage may increase due to polling stations located in the remote regions of the Pir Panjal Mountain range.
Surinder Singh Channi, the JKNC-Congress alliance candidate from the Tral Assembly constituency, expressed optimism regarding early election trends. He stated, "The early trends from J&K and Haryana indicate that Congress is leading. The public of J&K has shown their anger against the BJP by voting in large numbers for our alliance."
After five rounds of counting, PDP's Iltija Mufti is trailing by over 5,000 votes against National Conference's Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri). Mufti has garnered approximately 10,953 votes, while Shah leads with over 16,114 votes. The counting determines the fate of 873 candidates across 90 Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K BJP leader Altaf Thakur expressed confidence, stating, "We need to wait until the 3rd or 4th round, but we anticipate BJP will emerge as the single largest party. Just as we recovered Haryana, we will do the same in J&K and form the government here as well."
The Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency is located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. It shares its borders with nine other Assembly constituencies, including Zainapora, Rajpora, Pulwama, Tral, Pahalgam, Shangus-Anantnag East, Anantnag, Anantnag West, and Devsar. This strategic location enhances its political significance, connecting it with diverse electoral demographics and influences within the region. The interplay of these neighbouring constituencies contributes to the dynamic political landscape of Srigufwara-Bijbehara.