Campaigning ends for Nagrota bypoll with 10 candidates in contest as voters gear up for polling
Peaceful end to Nagrota campaign with focus shifting to polling and results on November 14
Jammu, November 9 : Campaigning for the crucial Nagrota Assembly by-election in the Jammu region drew to a close on Sunday evening, setting the stage for an intense electoral contest on November 11. A total of 10 candidates are in the fray, each making their final push to win over the 97,893 registered voters across 150 polling stations in the constituency.
The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of sitting BJP legislator Devender Singh Rana last year. The contest has now evolved into a triangular battle among BJP’s Devyani Rana, National Conference (NC) candidate Shamim Begum, and J&K National Panthers Party president Harsh Dev Singh. Apart from these major contenders, the Aam Aadmi Party’s Joginder Singh, Apni Party’s Bodh Raj, and five others, including three independent candidates, are also contesting the seat.
The month-long campaign began on October 13 with the issuance of the election notification. Over the past four weeks, leaders from major political parties traversed the constituency, addressing rallies and door-to-door meetings to woo voters. The National Conference and the BJP in particular led vigorous campaigns to consolidate their traditional vote banks.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh were among the prominent leaders who hit the campaign trail in the final phase. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, provincial heads, and senior NC leaders held several public meetings in support of Shamim Begum, who vowed to carry forward the NC’s development vision for Nagrota. “Our aim is to strengthen grassroots democracy, improve public services, and empower women and youth,” Begum said.
The BJP’s campaign, led by party president Sat Sharma, focused on continuity and development. Devyani Rana, daughter of late Devender Singh Rana, concluded her campaign with a pledge to uphold her father’s legacy. “This election is about trust, service, and the vision of a progressive Nagrota. I am committed to working for every section of society,” she said, urging voters to come out in large numbers.
Harsh Dev Singh of the Panthers Party appealed to the electorate to “choose merit over emotion,” stressing that Nagrota needed transparent leadership focused on accountability and people-centric governance.
According to the Election Office, campaigning concluded peacefully at 6 pm, with preparations now underway to ensure smooth polling on November 11 and the counting of votes on November 14. The seat carries historical importance, with the BJP having won it three times — in 2002, 2008, and 2024 — while the NC secured victories in 1996 and 2014. Late Devender Singh Rana represented Nagrota twice, in 2014 and 2024, winning his last election by a record margin of over 30,000 votes.
As the clock ticks down to polling day, all eyes are on Nagrota, where the outcome is expected to reflect the shifting political dynamics of the Jammu region.
