Overview
- PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi won Budgam with 21,576 votes, defeating NC’s Aga Syed Mehmood who polled 17,098, a margin of 4,478.
- The Budgam outcome marks the National Conference’s first loss of the seat since Assembly elections began in 1957.
- In Nagrota, BJP’s Devyani Rana secured 42,350 votes to beat JKNPP’s Harsh Dev Singh (17,703), with NC’s Shamim Begum third on 10,872.
- Turnout diverged sharply: Budgam recorded about 50.01% voting, while Nagrota reached roughly 74.82%.
- Analysts cited anti-incumbency and NC rifts, including MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s absence from campaigning; PDP’s tally rises to four MLAs as BJP strengthens its hold in Jammu.