Iltija Mufti Defeated in Srigufwara-Bijbehara Assembly Election amidst NC’s Dominance

Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, faced a significant defeat in her maiden electoral contest as she lost the Srigufwara-Bijbehara assembly seat. The results were announced on October 8, 2024, with Mufti trailing behind by a margin of 9,770 votes against the National Conference’s (NC) candidate Bashir Ahmad Shah, popularly known as Bashir Ahmad Veeri.

The Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency has been a stronghold of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by Iltija’s mother, for several years. However, this time the seat slipped through their fingers, marking a pivotal shift in the political landscape of the region. Iltija Mufti took to social media to express her gratitude towards her supporters and acknowledged the outcome by saying, “I accept the verdict of the people.”

This election was a critical test not only for Iltija Mufti but also for the PDP, which managed to win only three out of the 90 seats, according to the latest Election Commission data. In contrast, the NC-Congress alliance led in 52 seats, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading in 25.

The elections were conducted in three phases across the Jammu and Kashmir region. The first phase took place on September 18, the second on September 25, and the final phase on October 1, involving a total of 873 candidates competing for seats in the 90-member legislative assembly.

Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference, is set to become the chief minister of the Union Territory following the alliance’s victory. His appointment was officially confirmed by Farooq Abdullah, the NC president, indicating a turn of events unfavorably received by the PDP, especially after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Mehbooba Mufti, President of the PDP, extended her congratulations to the NC leadership on its electoral success and mentioned the party’s intent to play a constructive opposition role. She noted, “I congratulate the NC leadership for its spectacular win. A stable and strong government is very important for the redressal of the issues faced by the people post-August 5, 2019.”

The election results have further crystallized the political divisions post-Article 370 abrogation, with the PDP struggling to maintain its influence amid the changing political environment in Jammu and Kashmir.