J&K Municipal Election : BJP Flops in Ladakh, Sweeps 4 Districts in Militancy-Hit South Kashmir

Jammu/Srinagar: The BJP won the urban local body elections in four districts of militancy-infested south Kashmir on Saturday, winning 53 of the 132 wards, in the four-phased polls in the state that were marred by NC and PDP boycott.

The unprecedented victory for the saffron party has given it control of at least four of the 20 civic bodies in the four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian.
Independents emerged as the single largest group in the elections in Kashmir by winning 178 wards across 42 municipal bodies in Kashmir division, including Leh and Kargil, elections authorities said.

The Congress was ahead of the BJP in the valley by bagging 157 wards, while saffron party won in 100 wards, they said. The boycott call by separatists, coupled with threats by militants, and non-participation of the National Conference and the PDP, helped both the BJP and the Congress in a major way as 76 and 78 candidates from the respective national parties were elected unopposed