Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate from the Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency, conceded defeat on Tuesday as vote counting progressed. Trailing in her constituency, Iltija gracefully accepted the people’s decision and expressed gratitude to her supporters and party workers.

In a statement following her defeat, Iltija Mufti tweeted, “I accept the verdict of the people. The love & affection I received from everyone in Bijbehara will always stay with me. Gratitude to my PDP workers who worked so hard throughout this campaign.”

Results in Srigufwara-Bijbehara Constituency

National Conference’s Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri was leading in the Srigufwara-Bijbehara seat, with Iltija Mufti trailing and BJP’s Sofi Yousif in third place. The Bijbehara seat, traditionally associated with the Mufti family, has been a stronghold for decades, with Mehbooba Mufti once holding the seat as a Congress candidate. However, the family has seen a series of political setbacks, including Mehbooba Mufti’s defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha election from the Anantnag–Rajouri constituency.

Current Election Trends

As per the latest counting trends, the National Conference-Congress alliance is leading with 52 seats, while the BJP holds 26 seats. The PDP, struggling in this election, is ahead in just three seats, and nine other seats are being led by independents or other parties.

Context of the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Elections

This election marks the first in a decade for Jammu and Kashmir and the first since the abrogation of Article 370, which revoked the region’s special status. Elections were held in three phases from September 18 to October 1, 2024, to elect 90 members to the Legislative Assembly. This election carries significant weight, as it reflects the political shifts in the region after Jammu and Kashmir’s transformation into Union Territories following the 2019 reorganization.