During the ongoing tallying of votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Omar Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and leader of the National Conference, acknowledged his loss in the Baramulla constituency in North Kashmir. Independent candidate Engineer Rashid surged ahead with a lead of over 100,000 votes.

I think it’s time to accept the inevitable. Congratulations to Engineer Rashid for his victory in North Kashmir. I don’t believe his victory will hasten his release from prison nor will the people of North Kashmir get the representation they have a right to but the voters have…

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— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 4, 2024

Rashid, presently incarcerated in Tihar jail under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on charges related to terror funding, was apprehended in 2019 following his involvement in a case filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The electoral competition in Baramulla featured various contenders, among them Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, running as an Independent candidate despite being in custody since 2019 due to his involvement in a money laundering case associated with terror funding. His 23-year-old son, Abrar Rashid, led his campaign, garnering significant support.

Other notable candidates vying for the Baramulla seat included Fayaz Ahmad Mir from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and Sajjad Lone, president of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference.

Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), conceded defeat in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency to NC leader Mian Altaf of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference. She suffered a substantial loss margin of 2,36,730 votes. Mufti served as the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir from 2016 to 2019.

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‘Respecting the decision of the voters, I express my gratitude to my PDP colleagues for their dedication and support despite the challenges. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the people who voted for me. Winning and losing are part of the democratic process and will not deter us from our mission. Congratulations to Mian sahab for his victory,’ she shared on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter).

Respecting the verdict of the people I thank my PDP workers & leaders for their hard work & support despite all the odds. My deepest gratitude to the people who voted for me. Winning & losing is part of the game & wont deter us from our path. Congratulations to Mian sahab for his…

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) June 4, 2024

Despite being part of the INDIA coalition, both the National Conference and PDP nominated candidates against each other in the Kashmir Valley’s three Lok Sabha seats. However, they extended support to Congress candidates in the Jammu region against BJP contenders.

In a significant move, the BJP chose not to field candidates in the Kashmir Valley, encouraging voters in the bordering regions to opt for any party except Congress, National Conference (JKNC), and Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), aligning their position with what they considered patriotic parties.

Following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir transitioned into a Union Territory, losing its special status. A delimitation commission was appointed to restructure Assembly and Parliament seats, resulting in significant changes in constituencies like Baramulla, now consisting of 18 assembly segments, including Budgam and Beerwah.

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Omar Abdullah’s Political Journey:

Omar Abdullah embarked on his political career in 1998 by winning the Lok Sabha seat from Srinagar, securing re-election in 1999 and 2004. However, in 2008, he shifted to representing the Ganderbal constituency and served as chief minister from 2009 to 2014.
Omar, whose party holds sway in North Kashmir, expressed his decision to contest from the Baramulla seat, citing the BJP and the Union government’s focus on this constituency.