Overview
- Vote counting started at 8 a.m. under tight security for the Budgam and Nagrota Assembly bypolls.
- In Nagrota, BJP candidate Devyani Rana is leading ahead of NC’s Shamim Begum, with 10 candidates contesting and turnout above 75%.
- Budgam’s tally is still in progress across 17 candidates, with a close fight between NC’s Aga Syed Mehmood and the PDP’s Aga Muntazi after roughly 50% turnout.
- The Budgam bypoll was called after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat, opting to retain Ganderbal following dual victories in 2024.
- Nagrota went to a bypoll after the death of sitting MLA Devender Singh Rana, whose daughter Devyani entered the race, as anti-incumbency and local grievances weighed on Budgam’s campaign.