Jammu and Kashmir: Barring Srinagar results for all Urban Local Bodies announced; BJP shows symbol of victory

Srinagar, October 20: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unfurled the victory flag by winning 212 wards in today’s results as barring Srinagar, results for all the Urban Local Bodies have been announced. Counting of votes was held today for the recently held polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Results of all 520 wards of Municipal Corporation, Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees of Jammu Division have been announced.

BJP has won 212 wards, Independents 185 wards, Congress 110 wards, Jammu and Kashmir National panthers Party 13 wards in Udhampur and Samba districts.

In the Kashmir Valley, independent candidates have emerged as a major player in the results of municipal elections held after the gap of 13 years.

They have won 72 wards, Congress 64 and BJP 25 so far. Congress has got a clear majority in three muncipal bodies and BJP in one. Independent candidates are in a majority in five municipal bodies. For Srinagar Municipal Corporation, counting is in progress.

Two major regional forces -- the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party -- had refused to contest in the state's local body polls over alleged attempts to dilute Article 35(A) of the Constitution. Article 35A empowers the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define "permanent residents" of the state and provide special rights and privileges to permanent residents.

The state urban civic body polls were held earlier this month. While Jammu and Ladakh regions witnessed robust polling in the municipal polls, only 3.4 per cent of the people came out to vote in terrorism-hit Kashmir.