Bandipora, Dec 08 : In a surprising outcome of the district development council polls in Kashmir Valley, National Conference was relegated to the third position in its traditional stronghold of Hajin- A segment, which is part of Sonawari assembly segment, while BJP secured more votes than PDP supported candidate in Drugmullah segment in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district where the party had won two seats.
According to results of DDC election available with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), NC came third in Hajin-A DD seat, which falls in Sonawari assembly segment.
Considered as a stronghold of National Conference, Sonawari was represented by the party thrice in J&K assembly since 2002.
Lone is currently representing Baramulla parliamentary segment.
His son Hilal Akbar Lone, who was nominated as constituency in-charge for Sonawari segment, was actively campaigning for an independent candidate backed by him.
In another surprising result, PDP supported candidate Rifat Jan secured less votes than BJP candidate Shakeela Akther.
While Rifat polled 612 votes, BJP candidate secured 877 votes
