New Delhi, 14 Nov

The BJP retained the Nagrota assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir, while the Mizo National Front (MNF) won the Dampa seat in Mizoram, as results and trends for the 11 November bypolls across eight constituencies became available on Friday.

Congress candidates were leading in Telangana’s Jubilee Hills and Rajasthan’s Anta seats, while the BJP was ahead in Odisha’s Nuapada. In Punjab’s Tarn Taran, the AAP established a significant lead, and the JMM appeared on course for victory in Jharkhand’s Ghatshila. In Kashmir’s Budgam, the PDP was leading.

Jammu and Kashmir

BJP candidate Devyani Rana won Nagrota, defeating JKNPP’s Harsh Dev Singh. She thanked the party leadership and voters, saying the victory was dedicated to their confidence in her. The seat fell vacant after the death of her father, Devender Singh Rana.

In Budgam, PDP candidate Aga Syed Muntazir led by over 2,000 votes against National Conference’s Aga Syed Mehmood. The bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat.

Mizoram

The MNF retained Dampa, with its candidate R Lalthangliana defeating Vanlalsailova of the ruling ZPM by 562 votes. Lalthangliana secured 6,981 votes (40.23 per cent), while his rival polled 6,419 (36.61 per cent). The seat fell vacant following the death of MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo in July.

Rajasthan

Congress candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya led by 4,989 votes in Anta after seven rounds of counting. Independent candidate Naresh Meena trailed, while BJP’s Morpal Saman was in third place. The bypoll followed the disqualification of BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena after a criminal conviction.

Odisha

BJP candidate Jay Dholakia held a commanding lead of over 40,000 votes in Nuapada. After 12 rounds, he had 59,366 votes, followed by BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria with 19,053. Congress’ Ghasi Ram Majhi was third. The contest is politically significant for the BJP, marking the first electoral test since forming the state government.

Punjab

In Tarn Taran, AAP’s Harmeet Singh Sandhu led by 10,236 votes over SAD’s Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa after 12 rounds. The seat fell vacant after the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. AAP workers celebrated Sandhu’s strong lead outside the counting centre.

Telangana

Congress candidate V Naveen Yadav led by 2,995 votes over BRS’ Maganti Sunitha in Jubilee Hills. The seat fell vacant following the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath.

Jharkhand

JMM candidate Somesh Chandra Soren led by 7,541 votes over BJP’s Babulal Soren in Ghatshila. After three rounds, he had 16,110 votes, while the BJP candidate had 8,569. The bypoll, necessitated by the death of MLA Ramdas Soren, is seen as a prestige contest although it will not alter the ruling coalition’s majority.