Independents win BDC elections

Tribune News Service

Srinagar/Jammu, October 24

The BJP suffered its first major setback post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir as Independents swept the Block Development Council elections by winning 217 blocks of the total 307 where polling was conducted.

The elections, which concluded on Thursday with the declaration of results, were held on party lines but were boycotted by major political players. The BJP won 81 seats with some of its candidates winning unopposed. 

The Panthers Party, the only political party besides the BJP that contested the elections, managed to win only eight seats and that too in Udhampur district. A majority of Independents were “unofficially” supported by parties that had boycotted the polls.

The BJP won 81 blocks out of which 52 are in Jammu, 18 in Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh regions. Over 98 per cent of panches and sarpanches participated in the polls.

J&K CEO Shailendra Kumar said of 128 blocks in Kashmir division, the BJP won 18, Congress 1 and Independents 109. “Of 148 blocks in Jammu, BJP won 52 blocks, BSP 8 and Independents 88. Of the 31 blocks in Ladakh, BJP won 11 and Independents 20,” he added.