NC Takes Early Lead in Budgam; BJP Widens Margin in Nagrota – Alfaaz – The Words

Srinagar/Jammu: As counting continues in the by-elections across Jammu and Kashmir, early trends indicate the National Conference (NC) leading in Budgam, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has significantly widened its margin in Nagrota.

In Budgam, after the first round of counting, NC candidate Aga Syed Mehmood has taken a lead of 624 votes over his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While Mehmood has secured 1,152 votes, PDP’s Muntazir Mehdi has bagged 528 votes. AIP candidate, Nazir Ahmad Khan, follows closely with 508 votes, and independent candidate Jibran Dar has secured 208 votes.

In the Nagrota Assembly segment, the BJP has consolidated its position further. By the third round of counting, BJP candidate Devyani Rana has extended her lead to 7,401 votes. Rana has so far secured 11,581 votes, while her rival, Harshdev Singh of the Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party (India), has polled 4,180 votes. (with inputs from agencies)