Srinagar, May 19: The exit polls for the six Lok Sabha constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir - Baramulla, Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Anantnag and Ladakh - are out. As per the Poll of Polls, it looks like neck and neck contest among BJP, PDP and JKNC in the state. According to Republic-CVoter Exit Poll findings claim 3 seats for NDA while Jan Ki Baat gives 3-4 to UPA. According to India TV-CNX Exit Poll predictions for Jammu and Kashmir, BJP is winning 2 seats, Congress taking 1 and JKNC bagging 3 seats. According to ABP-Nielsen Exit Poll 2019 findings, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will take 2 seats, Indian National Congress (INC) = 0, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will take 2 seats and National Conference (NC) will also win 2 seats. According to India Today-Axis My India exit poll, Bharatiya Janata Party is winning 2 to 3 seats, Congress can win 0-1 seats, National Conference can take 2-3 seats, PDP to not win any seat.
With several key issues like Balakot and Sec 377 flaring up just prior to the Lok Sabha elections, all eyes were on the outcome of the J&K polls. Due to the massive security concerns in the state, the general election was held in five phases. The four political parties in fray in Jammu Kashmir are Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC). It is worth reminding that the PDP and BJP were in a coalition government in the state until the BJP decided to withdraw support in 2018.
The maximum voter turnout of 72.49 % was witnessed in the Jammu Lok Sabha constituency where the sitting BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma was in a close fight with Congressman Raman Bhalla. In Ladakh, BJP had not given a ticket to MP Thupstan Chhewang but instead opted for Jamyang Tsering Namgyal to contest against Rigzin Spalbar of Congress. The voter turn-out in Ladkah Lok Sabha Constituency saw a marginal drop to 71.08 %.
In Udhampur Lok Sabha Constituency, BJP stalwart Jitendra Singh faced Vikramaditya Singh of Congress in the elections. The voter turn-out in this constituency was 70.20 % while the National Conference as per its pact with Congress did not field any candidates here along with Jammu and Ladakh seats. In Kashmir Valley, Srinagar Lok Sabha seat saw a three-way contest between Shiekh Khalid Jehangir of BJP, veteran politician Farooq Abdullah of NC and PDP’s Aga Syed Mohsin. The voting percentage stood at a poor 14.08 with Congress fielding no candidate honouring its alliance with NC.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was in the fray from Anantnag seat fighting the polls against Sofi Yousuf of BJP, Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Congress and Hasnain Masoodi of NC. The voter turnout once again saw a huge dip with just 8.8 % polling. Baramulla Lok Sabha Constituency which saw a poll percentage of 34.29 with BJP’s M M War, Congress’ Haji Farooq Mir, PDP’s Abdul Qayoom Wani and NC’s Mohammad Akbar Lone contesting.
The counting of votes for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 will take place on May 23. The General Election results would be declared on the same day.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 19, 2019 09:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).