In the first election after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgamation of Kashmir’s regional parties, looks set for big gains in the District Development Council (DDC) polls with lead in nearly 70 of 218 seats.  But, what is making bigger news is the BJP opening its account in the Valley with wins/leads in three seats.

Aijaz Hussain of the BJP, who won from Balhama, Srinagar, said his victory was a “win for all the sacrifices. I congratulate people of Jammu and Kashmir and the security forces,” reports ANI. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, who is camping in the Valley,  said, “BJP has opened its account in Kashmir valley, with the victory of Aijaz Hussain. We are leading on several other seats in the Valley. It shows people of Kashmir valley want development,” adds ANI.

Clear divide

As expected, the BJP is ahead in Jammu division while the PAGD, which includes regional heavyweights National Conference and People’s Democratic Party, is ahead in the Valley.

At 7 pm, trends were available for 218 seats and the tally stood at:

BJP: 28

Independent: 24

J&K NC: 23

J&K PDP: 14

Congress: 10

JKAP: 7

CPI (M): 5

JKNPP: 3

JKPC: 2

JKPM:1

The PAGD comprises the National Conference (NC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Conference (PC), the CPI, CPI (M) and a couple of smaller parties.  

Late night detentions

A day ahead of the counting, authorities detained several PDP and second rung NC leaders, including Naeem Akhtar, Sartaj Madni, Peer Mansoor and Hilal Ahmad Lone. No reason was given for the detentions, reports PTI.

The eight-phase DDC polling process was spread over 25 days and culminated with the counting of votes for 280 seats– with 14 seats located in each of the 20 districts of the union territory.

The polling began on November 28, with all phases ending on December 19. Of the 57 lakh voters, 51% exercised their democratic rights.

The DDC polls were being seen as the crucial first step towards the restoration of the democratically-elected government in the Union Territory, which is at the moment being governed by Governor Manoj Sinha.