BJP's Shagun Parihar, whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the "living example of the BJP's resolve to finish terrorism" in Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday won the Kishtwar seat.
Parihar, securing 29,053 votes, defeated her nearest rival and two-time MLA Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo of the National Conference, who secured 28,532 votes, by a razor-thin margin of 521 votes.
Firdous Ahmed Tak from the People's Democratic Party was a poor third, with just 997 votes. A total of 615 people voted 'None of the Above' (NOTA).
Shagun Parihar's father Ajit Parihar and uncle Anil Parihar, who was a district BJP leader, were shot dead by terrorists in November 2018.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his first rally for the J&K Assembly elections in Doda district on September 14, had cited her tragic background while asking people to vote for her to help defeat terrorism.
"Our daughter, (BJP's Doda candidate) Shagun Parihar’s father and uncle were killed by terrorists. We have fielded her here. She is not just our candidate, but she is the living example of the BJP's resolve to finish terrorism," PM Modi had asserted.
The seat, which went to vote in the first of the three-phase Assembly elections on September 18, has been retained by the BJP, whose Sunil Kumar Sharma had won in 2014.
The BJP was otherwise lagging in J&K, likely to end up with 29 seats in the 90-member Assembly, as it had won 20 seats and was leading in nine others. The National Conference was inching close to the halfway mark on its own having won 30 seats and leading in 11 others, while its ally Congress had won five and was leading in one more, and the Communist Party of India-Marxist was leading in the sole seat it contested.
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.