As per the trends of counting of votes for the 280 District Development Council constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) took the lead against its archrival, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In terms of leads, the Congress and the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) are at distant third and fourth positions, respectively.

The polling was held over eight phases from November 28 to December 19. Out of the 57 lakh eligible voters, 51.42 percent had exercised their franchise in the DDC elections, which was conducted quite peacefully. The DDC elections hold great significance as it was the first major electoral exercise in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 last year in August.

Till now, counting is over for 263 out of the 280 constituencies. Till now, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration has won 111 (Lead in 81, Won 30). The Bharatiya Janata Party till now won 64 (Lead 56, Won 8). The Indian National Congress has won 23 (Lead 19, Won 4), Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party has won 12 (Lead 7, Won 5) and others  are at 53 (Lead 35, Won 18).

The Gupkar alliance, a grouping of seven mainstream J&K-based parties including the National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had come together and allied with one another to restore Article 370 and thereby return J&K to its special status, which was revoked last year ensuing much debate.

Farooq Abdullah of the NC was elected as the Chairman of the PAGD, while PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti was made the Vice-Chairperson. Abdullah had earlier said that the alliance is an “anti-BJP” platform and not an “anti-national” one.

Gupkar Declaration

A day before the central government had announced the abrogation of Article 370 and revoking J&K’s special status, political parties in the state (barring the BJP) had met at Farooq Abdullah’s home in Srinagar, on Gupkar Road. Leaders from all parties then issued a joint statement in defence of Article 370, which is referred to as the “Gupkar Declaration”.