Srinagar: The Farooq Abdullah-led Gupkar alliance has won big in the first local polls in Jammu and Kashmir since it lost special status last year under Article 370 and was turned into two Union Territories.
In the first-ever District Development Council polls across 20 districts in J&K, the seven-party alliance, along with the Congress, has won in 13 districts. The BJP has won in six districts in Jammu.
The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration — a grouping of mainstream J&K-based parties including rivals National Conference of Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – has won more than 100 seats but the BJP has emerged as the single largest party with 74 seats. The Congress has won 26 seats.
Voting was held in 280 seats – 14 in each of the 20 districts of the union territory. Results have been declared for all but two seats.
As expected, the alliance scored in Kashmir while the BJP won most seats in Jammu.
In Kashmir, the Farooq Abdullah-led alliance scored 72 seats, the BJP won three seats. While the alliance will take charge of 9 district councils, Srinagar district remains undecided as independents have won and it is unclear which way they will go.
Independent candidates have emerged as big winners with 49 seats, which places them ahead of the Congress and the PDP.
