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.
Srigufwara-Bijbehara Assembly constituency in Jammu and Kashmir is one of the 90 Assembly constituencies in the union territory. The Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency voted in Phase 1 on 8 September 2024 including Anantnag, Kulgam, and Pulwama.. Srigufwara–Bijbehara is also a part of the Anantnag–Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.