Budgam, Nagrota Bypolls Results: PDP’s Aga Muntazir, BJP's Devyani Rana emerge victorious in Jammu and Kashmir

PDP's Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi said, "... This is a result of our hardwork of 50 years... The way people of Budgam were neglected in 2024, today the people of Budgam have given a befitting reply. If we want to bring about a change in the lives of the people of J&K, it will start with Budgam... Today's verdict will force the National Conference to fulfil the promises it made to the people of J&K."

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi emerged victorious in the Budgam Assembly by-election, defeating National Conference (NC) candidate Aga Syed Mehmood by a margin of 4,152 votes on Friday (November 14). The final tally stood at 21,534 votes for the PDP and 17,382 votes for the NC. This decisive win marks a significant gain for the PDP in central Kashmir, reclaiming a seat last won by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the previous assembly elections.

JKPDP candidate Aga Muntazir Mehdi leads with around 5,238 votes after the completion of round 13th of vote counting in Budgam seat of Jammu and Kashmir. 

JKPDP candidate Aga Muntazir Mehdi leads with around 3,614 votes after the completion of round 12th of counting. 

JKPDP candidate Aga Muntazir is leading with over 16,000 votes after the completion of round 11. 

The newly-elected BJP MLA from Nagrota, Devyani Rana said, "I am fortunate that the manner in which Nagrota blessed Rana sahib (her father, late MLA Devender Singh Rana), they did their duty of being a family today too and blessed me. I will be thankful to them...When BJP contests elections, it does so to win. You can see the results here in Nagrota as well as in Bihar...".

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Devyani Rana clinched the Nagrota Assembly constituency by-election, securing 42,183 votes in the decisive 11th and final round of counting. The win, with a commanding margin 24,522 votes, ensured the BUP retains the seat in Jammu district,

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) candidate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi is leading in Budgam against Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) candidate Aga Syed Mahmood Al-Mosavi by 1,521 votes.

The Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Devyani Rana was ahead with a lead of 5,267 votes over Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) candidate Harsh Dev Singh as counting of votes progressed in the Nagrota seat in Jammu on Friday. By the end of the third round, the BJP polled 11,581 votes, while the JKNPP candidate secured 4,280 votes, followed by National Conference candidate Shamim Begum with 2,464 votes. Devyani Rana, the daughter of BJP MLA Devender Rana whose demise necessitated the by-election in Nagrota, has established a lead from the start. The assembly constituency, which went for polling on November 11, saw a voter turnout of more than 75 per cent.

According to Election Commission of India early trends, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference candidate Aga Syed Mahmood Al Mosavi is trailing in Budgam seat after 4th round of counting. 

BJP candidate Devyani Rana leading with over 25,000 votes in Nagrota seat of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party candidate Harsh Dev Singh is trailing behind and got around 8000 votes. 

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) candidate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi leading from Budgam seat with around 3206 votes after 3rd round of counting.

Nagrota seat fell vacant after the demise of BJP legislator Devender Singh Rana last year. Devender Rana passed away within a fortnight of taking the oath.

As per early trends by the Election Commission (EC), National Confeence's Aga Syed Mahmood Al Mosavi leading over PDP's Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi with a margin of 624 votes after round 1/17 of counting.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former Jammu and Kashmir minister Shakti Raj Parihar has expressed strong confidence in the party's performance in the ongoing elections, particularly in the Nagrota and Budgam constituencies.Addressing media, Parihar said that the BJP will lead with a clear and convincing margin in Nagrota, where the people have shown tremendous faith in the leadership and policies of the party. Speaking about Budgam, he added that BJP workers have put in tireless efforts at the grassroots level, reaching every household and highlighting the party's vision for development and peace.He took a sharp dig at the National Conference (NC), accusing it of failing the people over the years.

Besides the two Shia leaders, other key candidates of Nagrota included the BJP’s Syed Mohsin, Awami Ittehad Party’s Nazir Ahmad Khan, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Deeba Khan, and independent candidate Muntazir Mohiuddin.

The counting, which would decide the fate of 17 candidates, is taking place at the Government Higher Secondary School in Budgam on Friday (November 14). 

Nagrota has alternated between the BJP and NC over the last five Assembly elections since 1996. The Congress has not fielded a candidate and has not formally joined the NC campaign despite being part of the alliance at the state level

JKNC leader Sheikh Bashir Ahmad said, "Umeed ke upar dunia kayam hai. We, too, are very hopeful. The administration's attitude has not been good. I had told them on the first day itself that their system is not good...People are coming in (for counting) whenever they feel like...Bureaucracy will not work. Liquor was caught but no action was taken, complaint was made but no action was taken. People's mandate is in, let's wait."

Counting of votes for the Nagrota Assembly by-election of Jammu and Kashmir began at 8 am. The seat fell vacant following the demise of sitting BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana; by-elections were held on November 11.

There were 17 candidates in the fray in Budgam as Aga Syed Mehmood of the ruling National Conference faces a stiff challenge from the PDP's (People's Democratic Party) Aga Muntazir. Besides the two Shia candidates, other key candidates include the BJP's Syed Mohsin, Awami Ittehad Party's Nazir Ahmad Khan, Aam Aadmi Party's Deeba Khan, and independent candidate Muntazir Mohiuddin. 

Budgam has been a bastion of the NC with its candidates securing victory from the constituency since 1962, barring once in 1972 when the Congress candidate won from the seat. NC Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, won from the Budgam seat in the 2002, 2008 and 2014 assembly polls, before Abdullah emerged victorious from here in 2024.

Counting will begin at 8 am with postal ballots, followed by the opening of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at 8:30 am. Returning Officer for Budgam, Afroza Bano, said 15 rounds of counting will be conducted for the constituency. However, Nagrota Returning Officer Rajesh Kumar declined to share details, stating that he was occupied.

In Nagrota, BJP's Devyani Rana, daughter of former MLA Devender Singh Rana whose death necessitated the bypoll, is pitted against NC nominee and sitting District Development Council (DDC) member Shamim Begum and JKNPP president Harsh Dev Singh. Nagrota has alternated between the BJP and the NC over the last five assembly elections since 1996.

The Budgam assembly constituency has around 1.26 registered voters. The polls are being seen as a litmus test for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government and his party, the National Conference (NC). The bypoll was necessitated after Abdullah vacated the seat following his election from the family bastion of Ganderbal as well in last year's assembly polls.

In the Budgam constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, a total of around 63,803 male electors were registered, accounting for 54.91 percent of the overall voter population. This figure highlights the demographic composition of the electorate in the region, reflecting a significant participation potential among male voters in the ongoing electoral process.

In the Budgam constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, a total of around 63,803 male electors were registered, accounting for 54.91 percent of the overall voter population. This figure highlights the demographic composition of the electorate in the region, reflecting a significant participation potential among male voters in the ongoing electoral process.

In Nagrota, the polling was peaceful, conducted across 150 stations, with voters queuing up from early morning on November 11 , reflecting strong public engagement. In Nagrota, the polling was more enthusiastic, with over 75 per cent voter turnout recorded. The seat fell vacant after the death of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Devender Singh Rana. BJP candidate Devyani Rana, his daughter, sought to capitalise on her father's legacy in a triangular contest against NC’s Shamim Begum and JKNPP’s Harsh Dev Singh. 

In Nagrota, the polling was more enthusiastic, with over 75 per cent voter turnout recorded. The seat fell vacant after the death of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Devender Singh Rana. BJP candidate Devyani Rana, his daughter, sought to capitalise on her father's legacy in a triangular contest against NC’s Shamim Begum and JKNPP’s Harsh Dev Singh. 

Budgam, a National Conference (NC) stronghold, saw just over 50 per cent turnout despite chilly, sub-zero night temperatures. This bypoll was triggered after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat following his victory in Ganderbal district. Budgam has been a bastion of the NC with its candidates securing victory from the constituency since 1962, barring once in 1972 when the Congress candidate won from the seat. 

The Budgam and Nagrota bypolls in Jammu and Kashmir recorded contrasting voter turnouts amid peaceful polling on November 11 (Tuesday). The Budgam assembly constituency has around 1.26 registered voters. The polls are being seen as a litmus test for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government and his party, the National Conference (NC).

Budgam, a National Conference (NC) stronghold, saw just over 50 per cent turnout despite chilly, sub-zero night temperatures. This bypoll was triggered after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat following his victory in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The vote counting for Budgam and Nagrota constituencies will commence at 8:00 am on Wednesday (November 14). In Budgam, 17 candidates contested, with NC’s Aga Syed Mehmood facing a tough challenge from PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir. The Budgam turnout was slightly lower than last year's assembly poll of 52.27 per cent. In Nagrota, the polling was more enthusiastic, with over 75 per cent voter turnout recorded. The seat fell vacant after the death of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Devender Singh Rana. BJP candidate Devyani Rana, his daughter, sought to capitalise on her father's legacy in a triangular contest against NC’s Shamim Begum and JKNPP’s Harsh Dev Singh.