Mehraj Malik, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate who made headlines in 2020 by winning the party’s first local election in Jammu and Kashmir, is now leading the race for the Doda legislative seat as counting continues for the region’s first Assembly election in a decade.

According to the Election Commission’s data as of 1:30 PM, Malik held a lead of nearly 5,000 votes over BJP’s Gajay Singh Rana and was ahead of National Conference’s Khalid Najib Suharwardy by approximately 10,000 votes. With 12 out of 13 rounds of counting completed, the AAP’s potential win in Doda has caught many by surprise, as this constituency has traditionally alternated between the National Conference and the Congress since the 1962 elections.

AAP’s Rising Momentum in J&K

This win for AAP in Jammu and Kashmir is seen as a significant achievement, especially in a region historically dominated by the National Conference, Congress, and BJP. The Doda seat was last won by BJP’s Shakti Raj in 2014, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi even launched the BJP’s J&K campaign in the district, marking the first visit by a sitting Prime Minister in over four decades.

Malik’s success so far is particularly noteworthy because the Doda district has been a region of intense security operations and frequent terror attacks. As recently as August, an Army Captain lost his life during an encounter with terrorists in the district, emphasizing the challenging political landscape Malik is navigating.

AAP’s Haryana Setback and National Ramifications

While AAP is making strides in J&K, the party’s performance in Haryana, the home state of party leader Arvind Kejriwal, has been less favorable. The party has struggled to secure any significant wins in the Haryana elections, which could pose a challenge for Kejriwal as he gears up for the Delhi elections, scheduled for four months from now.

AAP’s loss in Haryana is also significant because the party could not agree on a seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress, despite both being part of the broader opposition alliance under the INDIA bloc. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had emphasized the need for a united opposition, but state-level disagreements prevented the finalization of a deal between the two parties.

Also Read: Why AAP Failed To Make A Mark In Haryana, How It Will Impact Delhi Assembly Election 2025?

Broader Implications for J&K Elections

While AAP’s lead in Doda marks an unexpected victory, the broader electoral landscape in Jammu and Kashmir continues to be dominated by the National Conference-Congress alliance. The alliance is currently leading in over 50 out of the 90 seats, while the BJP is trailing with 27 seats. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is expected to win between four and 12 seats, according to exit polls.

These results will mark the first government formation in Jammu and Kashmir since the region’s special status was revoked under Article 370 in 2019. The political stakes are high, with parties like AAP making historic gains in a region marked by decades of political and security challenges.

Also Read: Haryana Assembly Elections 2024 Results: Congress Veteran Bhupinder Hooda’s ‘CM Dream’ Shattered!