AAP’s Mehraj Malik Leads in Doda Legislative Seat as Election Results Roll In

In a surprising turn of events, Mehraj Malik of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is leading the race for the Doda legislative seat in Jammu and Kashmir, as counting of votes progresses in the region’s first Assembly election in a decade. With twelve of the thirteen counting rounds completed, Malik is ahead by nearly 5,000 votes against BJP’s Gajay Singh Rana and has a significant lead of approximately 10,000 votes over Khalid Najib Suharwardy of the National Conference. This marks a historic moment for the AAP, which secured its first election victory in Jammu and Kashmir during local body polls in December 2020.

The Doda constituency has a history of fluctuating party control, with the BJP’s Shakti Raj winning in 2014, while traditionally swinging between the National Conference and Congress since 1962. Malik’s success is particularly noteworthy against a backdrop of recent terror-related violence in the region, including the tragic deaths of Army personnel in encounters with terrorists. Despite these challenges, Malik’s performance stands out amid an election landscape largely dominated by the National Conference-Congress alliance, which is currently leading in over 50 of the former state’s 90 Assembly seats.

While AAP celebrates its unexpected gains in Jammu and Kashmir, the party faces setbacks in neighboring Haryana, where it appears set to lose all contested seats despite previously being in discussions for a seat-sharing agreement with Congress. This loss could pose significant challenges for AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, especially with the Delhi elections approaching in just four months. As the political landscape evolves, the implications of these results will resonate beyond regional boundaries, impacting strategies and alliances in the run-up to future elections.

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