Srinagar, Oct 08: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections proved challenging for independent candidates, with only 7 out of 347 secured the victory which accounts for a mere 2%, with 340 independents defeated by candidates from political parties.
As per the details accessed by Rising Kashmir, from Langate constituency, Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, brother of North Kashmir’s MP Er Rashid, won with 25,984 votes, defeating his rival by 1,602 votes. In Shopian, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, former NC leader, clinched a win with 14,113 votes, surpassing his opponent by 1,207 votes.
Payare Lal Sharma secured win in Inderwal constituency, gathering 14,195 votes and outpacing his opponent by 643 votes. Dr. Rameshwar Singh from the Bani constituency secured a win with 18,672 votes, defeating his rival by 2,048 votes.
The Chhamb constituency saw Satish Sharma secure a comfortable victory with 33,985 votes, defeating his opponent by 6,929 votes. Similarly, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan won the Thannamandi (ST) constituency with 32,645 votes, defeating his rival by 6,179 votes. Choudhary Mohammed Akram emerged Victorious from Surankote constituency, securing 34,201 votes and defeating his rival by a significant 8,851 votes.
Despite a high number of independent candidates—the second-highest since 2008—most were unable to make a significant impact, with regional and national political parties dominating the elections.
Many regional political parties, including the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, and Congress, had previously accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of fielding independent candidates to potentially form a government in alliance with them.
