PDP Candidate Takes Early Lead in Budgam Bypoll, NC Trails Behind
Early rounds show PDP candidate ahead by over 2,000 votes in Jammu and Kashmir by election
Srinagar, Nov 14: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Aga Syed Muntazir is leading the Budgam assembly bypoll by a margin of over 2,000 votes against his nearest rival, National Conference (NC) candidate Aga Syed Mehmood, as counting continues on Friday.
According to the Election Commission of India, Muntazir has secured 8,690 votes, while Mehmood has 6,656 votes by the end of six rounds of counting. A total of 17 rounds are scheduled. BJP candidate Aga Syed Mohsin is trailing in sixth place with 1,132 votes among 17 candidates contesting the seat.
The counting began at 8 am at the Government Higher Secondary School in Budgam. The voter turnout for the bypoll, held on November 11, was recorded at 50.02%, with approximately 1.26 lakh registered voters in the constituency.
The bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat and retained Ganderbal, his family stronghold, following his dual victory in last year’s assembly elections.
