The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken an early lead in the Nagrota Assembly by-election, with candidate Devyani Rana ahead by 1,111 votes as counting progresses. The counting began on October 23, 2023, at various centers across the Nagrota constituency.
As per preliminary data from the Election Commission, Devyani Rana has garnered 2,477 votes, while her nearest competitor, Harshdev Singh of the Panthers Party, trails with just 1,366 votes. The candidate from the National Conference, Shamim Begum, is in third place with 1,110 votes.
This by-election in Nagrota holds significant importance as it tests the political waters ahead of the upcoming state elections. BJP’s strengthening position in this constituency reflects ongoing support in the region, particularly among core voters.
Political analysts note that early trends indicate solid backing for the BJP. “Devyani’s performance in Nagrota may hint at a larger trend regarding party stability in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Rajesh Sharma, an expert in local electoral politics.
The Nagrota Assembly constituency has traditionally been a bastion for the BJP, making the party’s lead a crucial indicator of its continuity in influence and governance. Voter turnout has been reported at approximately 55%, which is fairly robust for an assembly by-election.
As the counting continues, all eyes remain on whether this lead will sustain through to the final tally, signaling potential outcomes for future electoral battles.
