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.
According to the latest Election Commission data, trends are now available for all 90 Assembly constituencies. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC)-Congress alliance has crossed the majority mark, signaling a strong position. JKNC is leading in 39 seats, Congress in 8, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in 28. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is ahead in 3 seats, Jammu People’s Conference (JPC) in 2, with CPI(M) and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leading in 1 seat each. Additionally, independent candidates are leading in 8 constituencies, making the electoral battle highly dynamic.
In Srigufwara-Bijbehara, PDP’s Iltija Mufti is trailing by more than 3,000 votes against National Conference’s Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri) after three rounds of counting. Mufti has garnered 7,218 votes, while Shah leads with 10,286 votes, according to the latest trends. The gap continues to widen as counting progresses, as per EC trends.
In her electoral debut, PDP’s Iltija Mufti is trailing by over 1,800 votes against National Conference candidate Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri), according to early trends. Despite her political background, Mufti faces a tough battle as Shah maintains a significant lead. Counting continues as the race unfolds.
In the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency had 48,284 registered voters, comprising 24,156 males and 24,128 females, with no voters identifying as third gender. Additionally, 50 valid postal votes were cast, and 575 voters opted for NOTA (None of the Above), including postal ballots. In the previous 2008 elections, the constituency had a total of 46,747 voters, including 25,309 males and 21,438 females, with only five postal votes recorded. This demographic data reflects the gender distribution and voting patterns in the constituency over the two electoral cycles.
The Srigufwara-Bijbehara seat has seen a range of political winners over the years. From 1977 to 1987, Haji Abdul Gani Shah of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) held the seat, winning three consecutive terms. In 1996, Mehbooba Mufti of the Indian National Congress (INC) took over the constituency. Abdul Rehman Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) then emerged as the winner in 2002, and he successfully retained the seat in both the 2008 and 2014 elections, representing the JKPDP across three terms.
In the 2008 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, voter turnout and vote share showed diverse regional patterns. Karnah saw a turnout of 79.6% with a 19.15% vote share. Kupwara recorded 62.4% turnout with 30.07% share, and Lolab had 68.1% participation, securing 40.67%. In Handwara, 75.5% turnout was accompanied by a significant 48.38% share. Langate saw 61.3% turnout and 21.86% share. Uri had an impressive 81.7% turnout with a 44.54% vote share. Gurez stood out with 74% voter participation and a dominant 51.06% share. These figures reflect both high voter engagement and varied political support across the constituencies, shaping the political landscape for that election year.
In her electoral debut, Iltija Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a tough challenge against National Conference candidate Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri). According to the latest trends, Mufti is trailing by more than 1,000 votes behind Shah. Despite her political lineage as the daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Iltija’s campaign appears to be struggling in this critical contest. The significant lead of her opponent, Shah, reflects the competitive nature of the race as vote counting continues to unfold in the constituency, reports India Today.
According to official Election Commission trends for 50 out of 90 Assembly seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in 25 seats, Congress in 23, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in 1, and an Independent candidate in 1. The counting of votes is still underway for the remaining seats.
Iltija Mufti is trailing by over 800 votes in the early trends against Bashir Shah of the National Conference. This significant gap highlights the competitive nature of the election as counting progresses. As results continue to come in, the political landscape remains dynamic and closely watched by constituents, according to India Today.
In the early trends of the election results, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, is trailing behind her competitors. Meanwhile, Bashir Shah of the National Conference is currently ahead in the race. As counting continues, these early indications reflect a competitive atmosphere in the region’s electoral landscape.
In the early trends of the election results, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, is trailing behind her competitors. Meanwhile, Bashir Shah of the National Conference is currently ahead in the race. As counting continues, these early indications reflect a competitive atmosphere in the region’s electoral landscape.
Abdul Majid Banday, the Awami Ittehad Party candidate from the Handwara assembly constituency, expressed optimism about the upcoming election results. He highlighted the significant public support the party has garnered, noting that these elections are being held after a decade-long gap. Banday emphasized that the party’s campaign resonated well with the electorate, which he believes will reflect in the voting outcome. “We received a lot of support from the public,” he stated, reiterating their hope for a mandate similar to the one received during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Banday’s confidence indicates a strong connection with the constituents in Handwara.
In the 2008 Assembly elections, Abdul Rehman Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) won from the Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency, securing 23,320 votes. He defeated Bashir Ahmad Shah of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKN), who received 13,046 votes. JKPDP garnered 49.88% of the total vote share, marking a significant victory. This win helped solidify the party’s position in the constituency, as Abdul Rehman Bhat’s popularity played a key role in the electoral success. The margin of victory highlighted the strong support for JKPDP in the region during that election.
In the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir elections, voter turnout and vote share varied across constituencies. Karnah recorded a high turnout of 78.2%, with a 47.75% vote share. Kupwara saw a 67.1% turnout and 34.47% share, while Lolab experienced 71.58% participation and a 41.06% vote share. In Handwara, 75.54% of voters turned out, with a 43.19% share, and Langate had a 72.51% turnout and 35.49% vote share. Uri witnessed an impressive 82.85% turnout, with 39.25% vote share. Sopore stood out with only 30.79% turnout but a notable 26.38% share. The overall voting pattern reflects both high participation in many regions and a varied distribution of vote shares among parties.
According to official Election Commission trends for 45 out of 90 Assembly seats, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) is leading in 21 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 17, Congress in 4, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2. Counting is still ongoing.
As per official Election Commission trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in 13 seats, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) in 10, Congress in 2, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 1. The counting of votes for all 90 Assembly seats is still ongoing.
In the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir elections for the Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency, Abdul Rehman Bhat of the JKPDP won with 23,581 votes, securing 48.79% of the vote share. Bashir Ahmad Shah of the JKN followed with 20,713 votes, gaining 42.85%. Pushkar Nath Pandita of the BJP received 1,591 votes (3.29%), while Manzoor Ahmad Ganie of the INC earned 1,294 votes (2.68%). Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh from the BSP received 580 votes (1.2%), and 575 votes (1.19%) were cast for None Of The Above (NOTA). The total number of votes polled was 48,334 out of 86,929 registered voters.
According to official Election Commission trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in five seats, while the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) leads in three seats.
In the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency saw Abdul Rehman Bhat from the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) emerge victorious. Bhat secured 23,581 votes, defeating Bashir Ahmad Shah of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKN), who garnered 20,713 votes. JKPDP won with 48.79% of the total votes cast in the constituency, marking a significant victory. The contest was closely fought, but Bhat’s win contributed to the larger performance of the JKPDP in the region during that election.
Shah argues that the elections offer an opportunity to send a message rejecting the Centre’s decisions of August 2019. “If you leave a space, it will be filled by people against you. The Government of India cannot afford the dismemberment of this country. Regional aspirations are important, and the Government of India will be forced to give us autonomy,” he said.
Shah believes his traditional NC voter base, which has remained steadfast through the years, will come out in strong numbers to support his bid. He has positioned himself as the candidate who will reverse the political compromises made by the PDP and restore the regional identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bashir Ahmad Shah, better known as Veeri, is no stranger to electoral battles. Despite previous defeats, including a narrow loss to PDP’s Abdul Rahman Bhat (Veeri) in 2014 by just 2,868 votes, Shah remains optimistic. His campaign highlights the need for a strong regional voice and autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir.
Iltija Mufti’s biggest challenge comes from the political baggage of the PDP-BJP alliance in 2015, which many believe hurt the PDP’s credibility. “PDP aligned with those who they had campaigned against in 2014. They stand exposed. People are suffering because of their alliance with the BJP,” said her opponent Bashir Ahmad Shah during his door-to-door campaign.
Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and granddaughter of PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, is entering the electoral fray for the first time. Her candidacy draws on her family’s political legacy, with the Mufti name carrying weight in the region. While the PDP has seen its influence wane in recent years, Iltija’s entry has sparked curiosity among voters, with many wondering if she can reinvigorate the party and appeal to a younger electorate.
“My family has always worked for the people of Kashmir. I hope to continue that legacy,” Iltija said at a campaign rally. Her focus has been on addressing issues such as unemployment, women’s empowerment, and the aftermath of the revocation of Article 370, which many in the region continue to oppose.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance is leading in two constituencies, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ahead in one. This early trend reflects a competitive political landscape as votes are being counted, with both alliances vying for significant control in the region.
For the BJP, making inroads in Kashmir Valley remains a challenge, but the party has made steady gains in the Jammu region, where it is expected to perform well. A significant number of seats for the BJP could indicate a broader acceptance of the post-Article 370 realities in parts of the region.
Meanwhile, the Congress-NC alliance is projected to have a slight edge across the Union Territory, but the margins are expected to be thin, making every constituency crucial. The outcome in Bijbehara-Srigufwara, where Iltija Mufti is trying to make her mark and Bashir Ahmad Shah is fighting to break his electoral jinx, will be pivotal in determining the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir for the foreseeable future.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and National Conference that are fighting in alliance, JKPDP are the major parties that have fielded candidates from the Srigufwara-Bijbehara seat.
Candidate – Party
Sofi Yousuf – BJP
Bashir Ahmad Veeri – NC
Illtija Mufti – PDP
The counting of votes for the Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir begins. The fate of candidates on 90 seats across all 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir we be decided today.
Following the delimitation exercise, the Bijbehara-Srigufwara assembly constituency was renamed and redrawn, now spanning a broader geographical area. It stretches across the Jhelum River and includes the four-lane highway that cuts through the region. This new configuration is expected to impact the electoral dynamics, as the area incorporates both urban and rural populations, altering the voter base and political representation. The changes aim to ensure better representation for diverse communities in the region, but they also pose new challenges for political parties as they navigate the altered landscape.
The Bijbehara-Srigufwara constituency holds more than just local significance. This election, like others in the Union Territory, is being closely watched as it is the first since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The election will be a test of how the electorate views the changes imposed by the Centre and whether regional parties like the PDP and NC can reclaim lost ground.
The political environment in Jammu and Kashmir remains volatile, with pollsters projecting a close fight in the Union Territory. According to polls by India Today-C Voter, Axis My India, Dainik Bhaskar, and Peoples Pulse, the Congress-NC alliance holds a slight edge. Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP, which dominated the 2014 elections with 28 seats, appears to be losing ground. Predictions for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has traditionally struggled in the Valley, suggest it could secure 24-37 seats—a significant gain, considering the region’s complex political dynamics.