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The defeat of National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah in Baramulla and People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti in Anantnag-Rajouri point to a major political swing in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Mufti lost to a formidable opponent from NC’s Mian Altaf in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency. Despite a vigorous campaign that extended due to postponed polls.

 

Mian Altaf, a Gujjar spiritual leader, garnered substantial support from his community in Rajouri and Poonch, with votes from NC, Congress, and CPM in the Valley being transferred to him as he was the joint candidate of the INDIA bloc.

 

Initially, Mufti asked to be a joint candidate for the INDIA alliance. However, her party had to contest all three constituencies in Kashmir after the NC refused to concede any seats to her party from the Valley’s alliance quota. 

 

Omar Abdullah was defeated by jailed candidate Engineer Rashid, whose son, 23-year-old Abrar Rashid’s campaigned for him, his appeal for votes resonating strongly with the voters.  

 

With his defeat Abdullah faces a new political challenge from Engineer Rashid’s emerging influence in north Kashmir. People seem ready for new faces along. 

 

 For Sajad Lone this election has turned out to be a major disappointment as the north Kashmir vote bank dismissed him and instead people from Bandipora and Handwara turned to Engineer Rashid.

 

Conceding defeat on Tuesday, Mufti said, “Respecting the verdict of the people, I thank my PDP workers and leaders for their hard work and support, despite all the odds. My deepest gratitude to the people who voted for me. 

 

Winning and losing is part of the game and won’t deter us from our path. Congratulations to Mian Sahab for his victory.”

 

Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of the NC won the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat with an impressive 3.56 lakh votes, maintaining a commanding margin of 1.88 lakh votes over his opponent, Waheed Parra of the PDP, who secured 1.68 lakh votes.

 

Both candidates demonstrated dignity in victory and defeat, refraining from personal attacks throughout the campaign. 

 

Mehdi described his win as a response to the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

“A big thank you to the people of Srinagar, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Shopian, and Budgam for this mandate and faith in me. I am humbled and aware of the responsibility this mandate brings.

 

“You have spoken democratically against the decisions of August 5, 2019. It is now my responsibility to take your voice to Parliament and the people of the rest of India.

 

 Rest assured, I will represent your sentiments and struggle for the return of our dignity and rights with complete sincerity,” Mehdi said.