NC’s Farooq Abdullah wins Srinagar LS bypoll, demands imposition of Governor’s rule

National Conference chief and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah won the Srinagar Lok Sabha bypoll, defeating PDP rival Nazir Ahmad Khan by more than 9,900 votes on Saturday. Reflecting on the verdict, Abdullah thanked people who supported him and said that results show people are in favour of National Conference. He also described the election as the bloodiest one in the state.

Counting for Srinagar Lok Sabha bypoll had begun at 8 am. A voting percentage of 7.13 per cent was recorded on the voting day as heavy clashes broke out



between separatists and police forces. Eight civilian protesters were killed in the clashes. Abdullah, whose only defeat from constituency has come in 2014 Lok Sabha constituency, was expected to face stiff competition from PDP leader Nazir Ahmad Khan. Seven other candidates were also in the fray apart from Abdullah and Khan.

The Election Commission conducted re poll on Friday in 38 polling stations which were marred by violence on the poll day. Voter percentage in the repoll was recorded to be an abysmal two per cent.