DDC election Result highlights: The counting of votes for the first-ever District Development Council (DDC) elections being held across 20 districts of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory is underway. Out of the 273 leads in the 280 seats so far, the Farooq Abdullah-led People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) is ahead on 115 seats while the BJP is ahead on 69 seats. The Congress is leading on 23 seats, the Centre-backed Apni Party on 13 seats while others are ahead on 53 seats. The eight-phase DDC election assumes significance because it was the first electoral exercise held in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and division of the erstwhile state into two union territories on August 5 last year. Nearly 4,200 candidates are in the fray for 280 DDCs. The polling had commenced on November 28 and concluded on December 19 with an overall voter turnout of 51 percent. Follow LIVE updates here.
This is the vindication of PM Modi's decision to introduce grass route democracy in J&K. Biggest achievement, as far as the BJP is concerned, it has established its acceptability across the entire region of J&K.
Jammu and Kashmir DDC elections tally at 9.30pm: BJP- 54; J&K NC-48; Independent-36; J&K PDP: 22; INC: 18; JKAP: 9.
Undeterred by the denial of democratic rights, the voters of the Kashmir valley have firmly rejected the BJP and its misguided Kashmir policy. I compliment the voters for their courage and resolve.
The dynasts were expecting a cakewalk, but the hegemony has been challenged strongly today. This is a signal that in future people are going to replace the dynasts.
Amit Malviya, BJP:BJP's emergence as the single largest party in the recently held District Development Council polls is a big endorsement for the abrogation of Art 370! Not a single party in the PAGD, a group of 7 parties, including the NC and PDP, even come close. Politics of development wins.
Latest trends of the DDC Electionresults - Jammu Division: BJP-28; Congress-5; NC-12; JKAP- 2; Independent - 4; Panthers Party- 1 (ANI).
Congratulating party candidates who registered victories in the District Development Council (DDC) elections, Jammu and Kashmir BJP general secretary Vibodh Gupta said the people of the Valley have exhibited their faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The BJP on Tuesday won an election for the first time from any seat in Kashmir while facing regional heavyweights like the National Conference and the PDP.
Aijaz Hussain won the Khonmoh-II District Development Council seat in Srinagar, while Aijaz Ahmad Khan gave the party more reason to cheer by winning the Tulail seat in Bandipora district.
"The people of Kashmir exhibited their faith in Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi's vision of naya Kashmir, and sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas," Gupta, who is also party's in-charge for Kashmir, said.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Ghulam Ahmad Mir' son Naseer Ahmad Mirlost the DDC polls from Anantnag district to independent candidate Peer Shahbaz Ahmad.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on December 22termed the results and emerging trends of the District Development Council polls as an eye-opener for the BJP and its "proxy political party", and said people have rejected the decision of revoking the erstwhile state''s special status.
Abdullah, who is the vice president of the National Conference (NC), told PTI that the results and trends are an "important milestone" for the People''s Alliance on Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) as they endorse the "out view" that revoking the special status of the erstwhile state of J-K and downgrading it into a Union Territory was not accepted by the people.
"Now if the BJP and its proxy political party believe in democracy, as they have stated, they should immediately reverse their decision and respect the verdict of the people of this region," he said.
: Independents win half of the seats in Srinagar district
The counting for the DDC polls has been completed in Srinagar with the independent candidates winning half of the seats.
"The returning officers in Srinagar district have declared the results of District Development Council elections in all the 14 constituencies and handed over election certificates to winning candidates," District Election Officer (Deputy Commissioner) Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary was quoted saying by PTI.
As per the final results, independent candidates have been declared winners in seven constituencies. Candidates of former finance minister Altaf Bukhari-led Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP), backed by the Cenre were declared winners in three constituencies. The BJP, the PDP, the NC and the JKPM have won one seat each in the district.
:PAGD makes big gains in DDC polls
Leads/Wins of251/280 seats
PAGD : 103 (Leads 61, Won 42
BJP : 59 (Leads 47, Won 12)
Congress : 22 (Leads 15, Won 7)
Apni Party : 11 (Leads 5, Won 6)
Others : 56 (Leads 37, Won 19)
