NOTA defeats 7 including 6 from registered parties
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Nov 14: With Independents commanding a substantial share of votes in Budgam as the results of the J&K Assembly bypolls were declared today, ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) registered fewer than 900 votes in both Budgam and Nagrota constituencies. In Budgam, NOTA got more votes than 7 candidates including six from registered parties.
Budgam reported a notable trend, with Independent candidates collectively securing 28.87 percent of the total votes polled, including one Independent who emerged as a major contender with over 11 percent of the vote.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Independents recorded a stark contrast in performance across the two Assembly segments, securing a significant share of votes in Budgam while managing less than 2 percent in Nagrota.
According to the figures, NOTA polled 544 votes in Budgam, including two postal ballots, and 349 votes in Nagrota, including four postal ballots.
NOTA accounted for 0.86 percent of the total votes polled in Budgam and 0.47 percent in Nagrota.
Budgam had more than 1.26 lakh registered electors, while Nagrota nearly 98,000. The polling percentage stood at 50 percent in Budgam and over 75 percent in Nagrota on November 11.
In Budgam, independents showed a notable performance, with one among them, Jibran Dar-who had earlier contested the Parliament and Assembly elections in 2024-secured over 7,000 votes, amounting to 11.33 percent of the total votes cast.
Budgam had 17 candidates in the fray, including seven Independents. The NOTA in Budgam got 544 defeating 7 candidates including six from registered parties -Aam Admi Party (459), Rashtriya Lok Dal (223), National Loktantrik Party (171), Jammu and Kashmir National Pathers Party (57), Sampoorna Bharat Kranti Party and Republic Party of India (212).
Other Independents included Aditi Sharma, who secured 283 votes; Mohd Sameer Bhat, who received 2,534 votes, 4 percent; Dr. Mohd Maqbool Bhat, who polled 1,225 votes, around 2 percent; Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, who secured 904 votes; Muntazir Mohi-ud-Din, formerly associated with the Apni Party, who secured 3,029 votes and Nazir Ahmad Khan, who received 3,081 votes.
Leading the Independents, Jibran Dar’s 11.33 percent vote share exceeded that of several party candidates. He was followed by Nazir Ahmad Khan with 4.90 percent and Muntazir Mohi-ud-Din with 4.80 percent.
In a video message to the people of Budgam after the results were declared, Dar thanked voters for their support and said he would work for everyone, including those who did not vote for him.
He said the National Conference, a 90-year-old party with all its MLAs on the ground, still lost, and the PDP also campaigned with full strength.
“I came third, and I will continue to work hard and try again,” he said, adding that he would reach out to people over the next four years.
He also alleged that neither the NC nor the PDP would work for the people of Budgam.
On the other side, Nagrota had fewer candidates in comparison to Budgam, with 10 candidates in the fray, including three Independents.
Among them, Anil Sharma secured 837 votes, 1.14 percent, Shah Mohd secured 288 votes, 0.39 percent, and Gulzar Hussain secured 330 votes, 0.45 percent.
Collectively, Independents in Nagrota secured just under 2 percent of the total votes.
Overall, in Nagrota, BJP candidate Devyani Rana emerged as the clear winner with 57.36 percent of the vote, followed by Harsh Dev Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (India), who secured 23.98 percent.
Among Independents, Anil Sharma recorded the highest share at 1.14 percent.
Political observers said that the minimal support for Independents in Nagrota reflects the electorate’s strong preference for established political parties in this segment.
“At the same time, there were fewer Independent candidates compared to Budgam; their vote is basically a dent to the PDP,” they said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
