The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgam of six parties, on Wednesday managed to sweep six district councils, with an edge in six others, and the BJP managed to secure five councils, with an edge in one districtm in the maiden District Development Council (DDC) polls held in 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Gupkar Alliance, which saw the coming together of rivals, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the polls, has won 110 seats across the Union Territory (UT). The polls were held with 14 seats in each district.
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Out of 10 districts in the Kashmir Valley, the alliance has won a majority and will have its district chairmen in Kupwara (nine seats), Budgam (10), Pulwama (nine), Anantnag, Kulgam (12) and Ganderbal (11). It is short of one seat from the clear majority in Baramulla, Shopian and Bandipora districts.
However, Srinagar district, which saw seven (50 percent of total seats) won by independents, is up for grabs. Fighting elections for the first time, the J&K Apni party has managed to win maximum three seats in Srinagar.
In the Jammu division, the Gupkar Alliance is dominating the Chenab valley’s Ramban and Kishtwar districts by winning six seats in each district.
In the Pir Panjal valley, the alliance is dominating in Rajouri with six seats. The Congress, which has won 17 seats in the Jammu division, will play an important role in allowing the Gupkar alliance to achieve majority to head the districts.
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In the Pir Panjal's Poonch district, eight independents have been declared victory, leaving little chance for the BJP or the alliance to choose a chairman.
BJP’s wins
The BJP has managed to win five councils in the Jammu region, including Kathua (13 seats) and Samba (13), Jammu (11) and Udhampur, and Doda (eight). It is likely to win Reasi district with the support of independents, as the party has managed to get seven seats. However, the Gupkar Alliance will also push for its own chairpersons as it has won three seats, the Congress one and independent one and the Apni Party two.
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According to the final tally, the BJP has won 75 seats, NC 67, PDP 27, Congress 26, J&K Apni Party 12, J&K Peoples Conference eight, CPI(M) five, J&K Peoples Movement three, National Panthers Party two, Peoples Democratic Front two and BSP one. Independents have managed to win 50 seats, spread across the districts in the UT.
