The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — Pulwama Police issued a statement in which it said that legal action has been initiated against a group of 'miscreants' who attempted to disrupt the voting process at a polling station in Bellow village in Rajpora Assembly constituency on Wednesday.

As per the police, the incident occurred around 1 pm when several individuals entered the polling station and began 'harassing' voters, creating a tense atmosphere.

"Security forces stationed at the site intervened, removing the group from the premises without halting the voting process, which continued uninterrupted," a police spokesman said.

Outside the polling station, as per the official, the situation escalated when the 'miscreants' confronted law enforcement officials, including SHO Rajpora and his team, and threatened to block a nearby road.

Despite the provocation, police said, security personnel handled the situation with restraint, dispersing the crowd without causing harm or injury.

The Pulwama Police confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated against those involved in the disturbance.

It is pertinent to mention here that BJP leader and Rajpora Assembly Constituency candidate Arshad Bhat visited the polling station in Bellow village, where a commotion erupted.

Speaking to the media, Bhat accused the local police, particularly the SHO of Rajpora Police Station, of showing bias during the election process. However, eyewitnesses accused the BJP candidate of kicking a National Conference worker near the polling station and disrupting the voting process in the polling station.

SRINAGAR — National Conference (NC) leader Bashir Ahmad Nengroo on Sunday criticized the BJP-led Central government, accusing it of undermining secular principles with the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.

Nengroo, speaking exclusively with The Kashmir Pulse from Pulwama district in southern Kashmir, said the bill is a direct attack on the Constitutional rights of Muslims and threatens to strip Waqf properties from the community. “The BJP is using this bill to grab Muslim properties and marginalize the community in India’s democratic setup,” he said.

He further accused the government of consistently targeting minority groups, particularly Muslims, through divisive and hateful politics. "They advocate Ram Rajya, but their actions are harmful to minorities," Nengroo added.

He urged parliamentarians to reflect on the historical contributions of Muslims, particularly during India's freedom struggle. Nengroo reaffirmed the NC’s commitment to equal rights for all, regardless of religion, region, or caste, and emphasized the party's dedication to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh, and working towards the reinstatement of Article 370.

Nengroo also questioned the BJP's claims of improved security in Kashmir, pointing to ongoing attacks that continue to claim the lives of security forces. "The BJP cherry-picks what to highlight, ignoring the ongoing violence in the region," he said.

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 has drawn criticism from several opposition leaders who see it as an effort to dilute the rights of Muslims in India.

It is in place to state here that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024. It seeks to repeal Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923 and amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The Act regulates Waqf property in India and defines Waqf as an endowment of movable or immovable property for purposes considered pious, religious, or charitable under Muslim law. The Bill renames the Act to ‘United Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995’.

SRINAGAR — Sugra Barkati, daughter of jailed Sarjan Ahmad Wagay (Barkati), said on Sunday that she is being subjected to “psychological tactics” by her opponents, especially the National Conference (NC).

Addressing a press conference, Sugra, who emphasized that she is not a politician and only wants her parents released from jail, explained that she has been forced into the public eye “due to compulsion,” with the unusual circumstances placing a heavy burden on her shoulders.

“I have been subjected to psychological tactics, with Omar Abdullah leading the charge when he mentioned my father, saying that people in jail are filing papers against him. Filing the papers was my decision,” she said.

“During the Lok Sabha elections, Omar told Engineer Rashid’s son that if he had known they were running, he wouldn’t have filed his papers,” Sugra explained and added that Omar’s statement was the reason she decided to file papers on behalf of her father, hoping that, if he won, her father might be released from jail.

“One of the NC spokespersons, Ifra Jan, openly called my father a thief; it was like a stab to my chest,” she said. “We are helpless, and we leave it in the hands of people and the Almighty.”

Regarding AIP’s chief, Engineer Sheikh Rashid, Sugra said she had expected AIP to voluntarily give the mandate to her father in Langate. “We were in contact with them since my father’s papers were rejected in Zainapora. We wanted Engineer Rashid to support us because we hardly know anyone from Beerwah and Ganderbal. We thought Langate would make a difference.”

She added that she had been in touch with Engineer Rashid’s brother, Sheikh Khurseed, as well as Inam-un-Nabi, AIP’s spokesperson. “We were assured the matter would be considered, but we never received a response.”

She concluded by questioning, “If it was ‘jail ka badla vote se’ during the Lok Sabha elections, which Engineer Rashid won, then why not now?”

PULWAMA — National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday launched a scathing attack on Engineer Rashid, calling him an "agent" of the Centre. Abdullah said this while interacting with reporters in Shopian during an election rally.

When asked about Engineer Rashid's release from jail, Abdullah said, "You know this yourself. Everyone knows this. We are not afraid. No matter how many engineers are released, no one can destroy the National Conference."

The National Conference leader expressed his commitment to the people of Kashmir, saying, "I only have faith in Allah and I have faith in these people."

Dr Abdullah criticized PM Modi for his remarks on Muslim population growth, saying, "Muslims never steal anyone's Mangalsutra; they are committed and law-abiding people."

He emphasized that Muslims are not against India but against the forced imposition of religion and discrimination.

The National Conference leader condemned the "fake propaganda" spread by the BJP, alleging that they have "looted all of India."

He expressed concern over the aim of India being distorted to fuel fighting among communities. Dr Abdullah rejected the idea of an India where religion is used to discriminate and bulldozers are used to destroy Islamic schools.

Meanwhile, the NC patron also visited the residence of Bashir Ahmad Nengroo in Pulwama where a brief ceremony was held during which Bashir Nengroo announced his rejoining the National Conference.

While speaking to the media, Farooq Abdullah said the BJP is trying to divide people in the upcoming Assembly elections. He said the Centre is responsible for shattering the trust of people by taking decisions like August 5, 2019 (scrapping of Article 370).

JAMMU — Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that there can be no talks with Pakistan until peace becomes a permanent feature in Jammu and Kashmir and that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time after Assembly polls.

“National Conference has advocated talks with Pakistan in its manifesto. Let me make it clear that there can be no talks with Pakistan until peace becomes a permanent feature in J&K,” Shah said while addressing a massive gathering in Jammu, as per the news agency KNO.

He kick-started the election campaign for the BJP and dared Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on the Gujjar-Bakerwal and Dalit reservation, stating that “no power can touch this reservation.”

Taking a jibe at the NC-Congress for claiming they will bring back the statehood to J&K, he said, “Perhaps, Rahul Baba and Omar are unaware of my August 5, 2019 speech where I have clarified that statehood will be restored to J&K post polls at an appropriate time.”

In a scathing attack on Rahul and Omar, the Union Home Minister said, “I wonder how they can bring back statehood. Can they clarify? It is the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government that can give back the statehood to J&K.”

He said that it would be the first election in J&K when there is only one flag, one constitution and one Prime Minister. “Prime Minister is always one for the nation. From Kanyakumari to Kashmir, there is only one PM, that is Narendra Modi,” Shah said.

Shah asked the BJP workers to come along with four families early in the morning and finish voting by 11:30 am. Shah asked the workers to take a pledge that they would vote against Abdullahs, Muftis and Gandhis. He also raised the slogan: “Jahan Huway Balidan Mukherji, Wo Kashmiri Hamara hai.”

Shah said that as a politician, the people of Jammu and Kashmir should read the writing on the wall that NC-Congress can never form government in J&K. Lashing out at PDP for advocating cross-LoC trade, Shah said the profit earned out of the trade would directly go into the pockets of “terror mentors.”

Taking a jibe at NC for befooling people in the name of autonomy, Shah said it was because of this slogan that 40,000 people lost their lives in J&K in the past three decades. “Nobody can talk about autonomy now. Gone are those days,” he said.

Shah urged the BJP workers not to vote for NC, Congress and PDP as they want to revive terrorism, separatism and stone pelting in J&K. “These parties want the release of terror mentors and those who spent money to promote stone pelting. Do they deserve votes for this,” Shah asked as workers shouted “No”.

The Union Home Minister said that NC wants to change the name of Shankaracharya Hill to Takhtay Sulaiman. “We will not allow this, come what may,” he said.

He said that it was the NC that forced the then Maharaja of J&K, Hari Singh to flee Kashmir. “Later, what returned to J&K was the body of Hari Singh, who acceded to India in 1947,” he said.

SRINAGAR — The National Conference (NC) and Congress have formed a pre-poll alliance for the J&K Assembly elections. The two parties have decided to go for seat sharing on 90 seats.

NC leaders said the party will field candidates from 51 seats, while INC will contest on 32 seats. However, they said that out of 32 seats, Congress will leave two seats, one each for CPI(M) and Panthers Party.

NC and Congress leaders said there will be a friendly contest on five seats in J&K, but in a very disciplined manner.

National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah said, "The negotiations between the Congress and the National Conference have concluded successfully. We have decided to contest the upcoming Assembly elections jointly, with complete coordination and cooperation between the JKNC and the Congress."

J&K PCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra, while sharing the details, said, "We have completed negotiations in a very cordial atmosphere, the Congress and the National Conference will fight the elections together. Our main objective is to save the soul of Jammu and Kashmir. We will start issuing mandates immediately and are confident we will win and form a government that truly serves the people of Jammu and Kashmir."

PULWAMA — As the first phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir draws near, the Pulwama Assembly segment in southern Kashmir is set to witness a closely contested race. This seat is expected to see a tight battle between the National Conference's (NC) Mohammad Khalil Bhand, who has previously won this seat three times on a People's Democratic Party ticket, and Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, the youth leader of the PDP.

According to the news agency KNO, Bhand, a former minister in both PDP-led governments, secured the Pulwama seat in 2002, 2008, and 2014. However, he recently switched allegiance to the NC, and it remains to be seen how this move will affect his chances of winning.

Political analysts said that Bhand's work during his first tenure as Roads and Buildings (R&B) Minister in the 2002-2008 PDP-Congress government helped him maintain a stronghold on the seat. However, his performance from 2008-2014, when he was in opposition, and after 2014, was perceived as less effective, especially with several infrastructure projects left incomplete.

They said that during his third term as MLA, Khalil experienced internal conflicts within the PDP. Although initially given charge of the Agriculture Department, he was not appointed to a ministerial position, which led to disagreements, and he eventually shifted to the NC after the government collapsed.

The PDP has nominated Waheed Para, who garnered huge support in the Parliamentary elections for the Srinagar seat, with around 200,000 votes. Para received leads in both the Pulwama and Rajpora Assembly segments during those elections and is anticipated to provide a strong challenge to Bhand in the upcoming contest.

Notably, after delimitation, Para's native area, previously part of the Rajpora constituency, has now been included in the Pulwama constituency, while Litter Tehsil, where Bhand traditionally had a strong voter base, has moved to Rajpora.

Both Bhand and Para have been actively campaigning to attract voters, and political analysts suggest that Syed Bari Andrabi, the District Development Council (DDC) Chairperson of Pulwama who recently resigned from the PDP, could play a decisive role in the election. Andrabi's endorsement could influence around 1,000 to 2,000 votes and impact the election outcome.

Talat Majeed Wani, a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami who is contesting as an independent after being associated with the Apni Party, might also attract a substantial number of votes that could sway the results, analysts believe.

Historically, the Pulwama seat has seen various representatives, including Master Sanaullah Sheikh in 1962, Sonaullah Dar of Congress in 1967 and 1972, Mohammad Ibrahim Dar of NC in 1977 and 1983, and Bashir Ahmad Nengro of NC in 1987 and 1996. Since then, Khalil Bhand has held the seat for the PDP.

The Pulwama Assembly segment, AC 34, consists of 99,555 voters, including 49,423 males, 50,130 females, and 2 transgender individuals. To ensure a smooth electoral process, 112 polling stations have been designated for this constituency.

SRINAGAR — Two District Development Council (DDC) members associated with the National Conference (NC) on Wednesday resigned from the party and extended their support to former NC leader and an independent candidate from Shopian, Shabir Ahmad Kullay.

As per the reports from the news agency KNO, the two DDC members, who resigned from NC include Abdul Hamid Sheikh (DDC Shopian) and Safiya Riyaz (DDC Ramnagari).

Sheikh said that he has resigned from the party as the leadership has given mandate to a person, who is not able to secure the seat. He said Shabir Ahmad Kullay was promised a mandate before parliamentary elections following which he worked hard and NC managed to get the lead on the seat then.

Sheikh added that the party has failed to keep their promise to Kullay and thus he is parting ways with the party and extending support to him.

Also, Safia Riyaz said that she is resigning from the party as they have duped Shabir Kullay thrice so far. She said that whatever NC has mentioned in its manifesto is fraud and nothing is being implemented on the ground. “I am resigning from the party and thus extend my support to Shabir Kullay,” she said.

SRINAGAR — The Congress leadership is set to hold deliberations with the National Conference on Monday to iron out differences over seat-sharing for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls.

Congress general secretary organisation, K C Venugopal will hold talks with NC president Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah at their residence here, leaders in both parties said.

They said the meeting was necessitated after “some differences” cropped up in seat-sharing arrangement during the talks between the local leadership of the parties. The leaders said both the parties have agreed over the seat-sharing formula to a large extent.

“The central leaders of Congress will meet our leadership to talk about the alliance. Some clarification is needed on some issues, and this will be done today,” NC provincial president, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani told reporters outside the residence of the Abdullahs.

“Two parties have to contest the election together, there are many issues. We have to keep in mind the party cadre on the ground, we also have to consider the strength of the parties in specific seats,” he added.

Wani, however, said the seat-sharing issues will not have any impact on the alliance. “Had we known the elections would be conducted, we would have sorted these things beforehand,” the NC leader said.

Pertinently, polls to the 90-member J-K Assembly will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1, while results will be announced on October 4.

SRINAGAR — In a major setback to the Apni Party, the recently appointed constituency in-charge for Bijbehara-Srigufwara constituency, Tariq Ahmad Veeri rejoined the National Conference in the presence of his brother and senior NC leader Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri.

As per the news agency KNO, Tariq Ahmad Veeri, who had joined the Apni party a few years before rejoined NC at the office of Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri in Anantnag.

The joining of Tariq Ahmad Veeri will further boost NC's winning chances where there is a direct contest between Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti's daughter, Iltija Mufti.

KULGAM — Senior National Conference leader Sakina Itoo on Friday filed her nomination papers for Damhal Hanjipora Assembly seat of southern Kashmir's Kulgam district.

According to the news agency KNO, she was accompanied by former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah. Sakina Itoo is being seen as one of the strongest candidates for the Damhal Hanjipora Assembly seat.

A total of 99,037 eligible voters are registered in the Assembly constituency, which was changed from Noorabad to Damhal Hanjipora after the delimitation exercise. The seat will go to polls in the first phase of the J&K Assembly elections on September 18.

In the 2014 Assembly election, Sakina Itoo lost to PDP candidate Abdul Majeed Padder, who is now with the Jammu Kashmir Apni Party. Besides Abdul Majid Padder, Gulzar Ahmad Dar of PDP and Mohammad Arif Dar of Awami Ittehad Party are also in the fray.

SRINAGAR — In the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, the regional National Conference (NC) has formally entered into a pre-poll bonhomie with Congress and CPI(M) ahead of the Assembly polls, ending the long stalemate in this regard. The final papers between the parties are scheduled to be signed on Thursday evening.

Earlier in the day, the Congress top brass including its national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met the NC leadership at Dr Farooq Abdullah’s residence here in Gupkar. Other leaders from the two parties who were present in the meeting include NC vice president Omar Abdullah, J&K PCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra, AICC General Secretary (Org) K C Venugopal and NC provincial president Kashmir Nasir Aslam Wani.

As soon as the meeting ended, Dr Farooq spoke to the media persons and announced the pre-poll alliance with the Congress and CPI(M) parties.

Pertinently, the three parties in Jammu and Kashmir have also fought the Lok Sabha elections together and managed to secure two seats in Kashmir and lost three others—one in Kashmir and two in Jammu division.

Addressing the media persons, as per the news agency KNO, Dr Farooq said that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and the pre-poll alliance was given the final shape. “The pre-poll alliance will be on all the 90 Assembly seats in Jammu & Kashmir,” he said while adding that NC-Congress and CPI(M) will fight the elections jointly.

The NC leader and party’s Provincial President Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, who was present during the meeting with Congress leadership, said that the pre-poll alliance has been finalized. He also said that the PDP would not be part of the pre-poll alliance.

However, Wani didn’t divulge anything related to the seat sharing between the parties.

Pertinently, Rahul while addressing the workers at a local hotel here hinted at the pre-poll alliance even before the announcement and meeting with NC leadership. However, he stated that the alliance will not be formed at the cost of Congress workers’ and leaders’ interest.

Rahul along with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge commenced his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. He arrived in Srinagar yesterday afternoon and attended the workers convention in Srinagar, which was followed by a press conference. He later met NC leadership and left for Jammu where he attended a Congress workers' convention.

SRINAGAR — National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said he will participate in the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Farooq Abdullah, as per the news agency KNO, said that he will contest the Assembly polls and that once the statehood is restored, he will step down and his son Omar Abdullah will contest from the seat.

He said that the Statehood has been promised by the Central government and all parties are seeking complete restoration at the earliest.

Abdullah, while reacting to the poll schedule, said that it is better as it will expose the readiness of parties for the elections. He said that any decision over pre-poll alliance will be taken by the party after holding threadbare deliberations.

The Election Commission of India on Friday announced three-phase polls, which were long overdue in Jammu and Kashmir, with the first phase being held on September 18, the second phase on September 25 and the third phase on October 1.

The election results will be announced on October 4 along with Haryana Assembly results, which will go to polls on October 1.

SRINAGAR — The Opposition party leaders meeting, which was slated to be held on August 7, has been postponed.

National Conference (NC) President, Dr Farooq Abdullah has expressed his inability to attend the meeting scheduled on August 7 at Jammu, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami said.

Dr Farooq Abdullah has suggested for postponement of the meeting, Tarigami informed. "As such, this meeting is postponed," he said.

SRINAGAR — National Conference leader and Anantnag-Rajouri MP Mian Altaf Ahmad criticized the Union Budget for 2024-25 during the ongoing Parliament session.

Speaking on the budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ahmad expressed dissatisfaction, claiming it lacked provisions for Jammu and Kashmir.

He argued that the Finance Minister should have consulted local stakeholders, including MPs from J&K, before finalizing the budget.

Ahmad highlighted several issues in the region, including rising unemployment, inflation, delayed pensions, and unpaid contractor bills.

He also pointed out the soaring cost of airfares between Srinagar and Delhi, which is affecting tourism and emergency travel.

Additionally, he noted that many infrastructure projects are stalled, suggesting the formation of a House committee to visit Jammu and Kashmir and assess the situation firsthand.

SRINAGAR — Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, while being asked by the reporters on Tuesday to give his reaction regarding the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that he hadn't had time to review it due to party commitments. However, he was quick to criticize the Centre over the "worst unemployment" crises facing the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

Abdullah emphasized the severe challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the escalating unemployment crisis, which he described as the worst in the country. "I hope to see provisions in the budget addressing the plight of unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

He also highlighted the Valley's ongoing problems with water and electricity shortages, calling for these problems to be addressed in the Finance Minister's budget speech. Abdullah assured that his party's two Members of Parliament would raise these critical issues if these were overlooked.

Commenting on the Supreme Court's order concerning the Kanwar Yatra, Abdullah criticized the directive of Uttar Pradesh Police in Muzaffarnagar to shop owners to display their names outside shops during the Kanwar Yatra. He stated that such an order should never have existed in the first place.

Condemning the directive of displaying shopkeepers' names along the Yatra route, he argued it marginalizes Muslim shopkeepers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Drawing a stark contrast, Abdullah pointed out the integral role of Muslims in supporting the Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir and added that Muslims carry Amarnath pilgrims on their shoulders to get a glimpse of the Shiva Lingam. He accused the BJP of sparking religious controversies and victimizing minorities, especially Muslims.

The Uttar Pradesh government on July 19 had made it mandatory for food and beverage shops along Kanwar Yatra routes to display the name and identity of the operator or owner of their establishments. Similar directives had been issued in other states including Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

However, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the direction issued by authorities, saying in its order that they (shopkeepers/vendors) must not be forced to display the name/identity of the owners and also the employees, deployed in their respective establishments.

SRINAGAR — Bharatiya Janata Party was declared the winner of both parliamentary seats in Jammu province while the authorities declared National Conference candidate Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi the winner from the Srinagar parliamentary seat.

Though the official results for Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri were not declared until late evening, it was clear from the last round of counting that Engineer Rashid was winning the Baramulla seat and the NC’s Mian Altaf Anantnag-Rajouri seat respectively.

Interestingly, two former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti suffered defeats from two Lok Sabha constituencies of Kashmir.

Kashmir Valley has three Lok Sabha constituencies. National Conference leaders Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Mian Altaf won the Srinagar (Central Kashmir) and Anantnag (South Kashmir) Lok Sabha constituencies, respectively. Similarly, jailed leader Er Rashid emerged as the winner from the Baramulla (North Kashmir) constituency.

Among the three, Mian Altaf and Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi were contesting the Parliamentary polls for the first time, while Er Rashid had fought unsuccessfully in the 2019 elections.

From Baramulla, Er Rashid defeated Omar Abdullah by a good margin. In Anantnag, Mehbooba Mufti also suffered a big defeat. Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency was otherwise considered a stronghold of the PDP, the native place of Mehbooba.

After his loss, Omar said, “I think it’s time to accept the inevitable. Congratulations to Engineer Rashid for his victory in North Kashmir. I don’t believe his victory will hasten his release from prison nor will the people of North Kashmir get the representation they have a right to, but the voters have spoken, and in a democracy, that’s all that matters.”

Similarly, Mehbooba said she respects the verdict of the people. “I thank my PDP workers and leaders for their hard work and support despite all the odds. My deepest gratitude to the people who voted for me. Winning and losing is part of the game and won’t deter us from our path. Congratulations to Mian Altaf for his victory.”

Going back to the past, in 1989 parliamentary polls, PL Handoo of the National Conference candidate emerged as the winner of the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.

The parliamentary polls were again held in 1991 across India but could not take place in Kashmir due to the volatile situation in the valley. This had prompted the Centre to promulgate an ordinance to defer elections for these seats.

In the 1996 polls, the Janta Dal candidate Muhammad Maqbool Dar emerged as the winner of this Lok Sabha constituency. Mufti Muhammad Sayeed won the South Kashmir Parliamentary seat in 1998 on the Congress ticket and the polls recorded around 28 percent voter turnout.

In 1999, the Lok Sabha seat of South Kashmir was won by the National Conference candidate Ali Muhammad Naik. The voter turnout stood at less than 20 per cent. The elections were conducted against the backdrop of the National Conference leader Saifuddin Soz, who voted in defiance of the party whip against the BJP-led coalition government during the confidence motion in Lok Sabha. He later joined the Congress party.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party maintained its winning streak in Jammu for the third consecutive term.

Of the five Lok Sabha seats in the union territory, BJP candidates Jugal Kishore Sharma and Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO, retained their seats for a third consecutive term. However, the party stayed away from announcing candidates in Kashmir.

The Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference, part of the INDIA bloc, fielded candidates in three seats in the Valley and emerged victorious in two.

This was the first major election in the region after the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Omar Abdullah, who ran from North Kashmir’s Baramulla seat, was defeated by jailed leader and two-time MLA Er Rashid, who contested as an independent candidate.

With Rashid in jail, his sons Abrar, 23, and brother Asrar, 21, spearheaded the campaign in the constituency, addressing rallies that drew massive crowds in the bordering region.

Baramulla was among the closely watched seats where People Conference president Sajjad Lone was also in the race.

According to the Election Commission of India data, Rashid was winning the seat with a margin of over two lakh votes. The Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) also fielded its former Rajya Sabha MP in the seat, but he did not emerge as a main challenger.

Though the PDP did not win any seats, it was part of the INDIA bloc. Mehbooba Mufti wanted to contest from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, but Omar Abdullah did not leave the seat and fielded tribal leader Mian Altaf, who won.

Following the National Conference’s refusal to collaborate, the PDP fielded candidates in all three seats in the Valley and backed Congress candidates in the Jammu region.

The lone Lok Sabha seat in Ladakh went to independent candidate Haji Hanifa, a Kargil resident who won with a margin of over 27,000 votes. In Ladakh, the BJP had replaced its incumbent MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal with Tashi Gyalson.

LEH — Independent candidate Mohmad Haneefa has established a lead of over 28,000 votes over his nearest Congress rival from the Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency, according to the Election Commission trends.

Haneefa has got 60,365 votes so far as against Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal who got 32,195 votes and BJP’s Tashi Gyalson who bagged 24,953 votes.

The BJP won the seat in the 2014 general elections and retained it in 2019. The Congress has won the seat the maximum number of times — six.

Haneefa, a former National Conference leader, quit the party along with its entire Kargil unit to contest as an Independent, after the Congress fielded Namgyal as the INDIA bloc candidate. He is the lone candidate from the Shia Muslim-dominated Kargil region.

This is the first major electoral battle in the region after it was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir and granted Union territory status in 2019.

SRINAGAR — In the early hours of vote counting for the Lok Sabha elections, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, an independent candidate who is popularly known as Engineer Rashid, has taken a significant lead in the Baramulla constituency, while the National Conference (JKNC) is ahead in both the Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri seats, according to the latest data of Election Commission available at 11:10 am.

In the Baramulla seat, Er Rashid is leading with 101,701 votes, outpacing JKNC vice-president Omar Abdullah, who trails with 53,820 votes, and Sajjad Gani Lone of the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Conference, who has 42,428 votes.

In the Srinagar constituency, JKNC's Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi is leading with 105,994 votes. He holds a substantial margin over Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para of the JKPDP, who has garnered 46,069 votes, and Mohammad Ashraf Mir of the JKAP, who is trailing with 22,327 votes.

The Anantnag-Rajouri seat shows a strong lead for JKNC’s Mian Altaf Ahmad with 203,795 votes, far ahead of JKPDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who has received 90,508 votes. Zafar Iqbal Khan Manhas of JKAP trails significantly with 43,522 votes.

These early trends indicate a strong performance for the National Conference in the Kashmir Division, while independent candidate Abdul Rashid Sheikh's lead in Baramulla is a notable development in the ongoing elections.

SRINAGAR — As the counting of votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls is underway, the National Conference (NC) and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) are ahead in two seats each in Jammu and Kashmir, according to early result trends.

According to data released by the Chief Election Officer J&K, the NC is leading in Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri seats, while the BJP is leading in Jammu and Udhampur seats.

The data shows that independent candidate Er Rashid is leading in the Baramulla constituency against National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah, while People’s Conference chairman Sajjad Lone is in the third spot.

Main Altaf of NC is leading against People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti in Anantnag-Rajouri, while NC’s Aga Ruhullah is leading against PDP’s Waheed Para.

Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh is leading against Congress’ Choudhary Lal Singh in Jammu, while Jugal Kishar of BJP is leading against Raman Bhalla of Congress in Jammu constituency.