Lok Sabha elections were held for the first time after the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. The political atmosphere of the state seems to be changing in this election. In the counting of votes held today, both the former Chief Ministers of the state have lost. PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has suffered a major setback in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir.
National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also faced defeat. Independent candidate Abdul Rashid Sheikh has won the Baramulla seat. National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah had said that he was expecting victory from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency. But he has accepted his defeat and wished for Abdul Sheikh’s victory.
BJP candidate and Union minister Jitendra Singh is leading by around 59,000 votes from the Udhampur constituency in Jammu division, while sitting Jammu MP Jugal Kishore Sharma is ahead by 103,136 votes.
More than 50 percent voting took place in the three Lok Sabha seats of Kashmir. This year’s voting broke the record since the spread of terrorism in 1989. Counting of votes for three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir began on Tuesday morning amid tight security. Counting of votes began at 8 am at four counting centers set up for three constituencies of Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri.
Altaf Bukhari has accepted the defeat of his candidates in Anantnag-Rajouri and Srinagar seats. He posted on social media, saying, ‘The people of Jammu and Kashmir have expressed their opinion and their decision is clear. We accept the election results with humility and decency.’ The rejection of dynastic politics and the defeat of two former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir (Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti) is a strong message and we accept the desire for change.
He further said that congratulations to the winning candidates for their success. We will use this opportunity to introspect, learn from our mistakes and become stronger and more resilient. We respect the democratic process and the will of the people and look forward to a new beginning. May this new chapter bring prosperity, peace and progress to Jammu and Kashmir.
Seats and candidates
Jammu- BJP- Jugal Kishore Sharma- leading by 1,32,007 votes. Udhampur- BJP- Dr. -Jitendra Singh- leading by 106536 votes. Anantnag-Rajouri- National Conference (NC)- Mian Altaf- leading by 2,79,303 votes. Srinagar- National Conference (NC)- Ruhullah Mehdi- leading by 164526 votes. Baramulla- Independent candidate- Engineer Rashid- leading by 1,95,126 votes.
