Nagrota Bypoll Results 2025: BJP’s Devyani Rana Takes Early Lead as Counting Begins

GG News Bureau
Nagrota, 14th Nov: The initial rounds of counting for the Nagrota assembly bypoll in Jammu district have given the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) an early lead, with its candidate Devyani Rana emerging ahead of both the National Conference (NC) and the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP). Counting began on Friday morning amid tight security arrangements, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a decisive political outcome for the region.

Rana is contesting against Shamim Begum, the NC nominee and sitting District Development Council member, and Harsh Dev Singh, the JKNPP candidate and former state education minister who previously served three terms as the MLA from Ramnagar. With 10 candidates in the fray, the contest had been expected to be multi-cornered, but early trends indicate the BJP’s advantage as votes continue to be tallied.

Heavy Security, Smooth Counting as Early Trends Emerge

The counting process is underway inside the seminar hall of Government Polytechnic College, Gandhi Nagar, where authorities have installed 23 counting tables to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Security forces have been deployed in large numbers to maintain order, prevent crowding, and ensure that the counting proceeds without interference.

Officials stated that the counting is progressing steadily and is expected to conclude by Friday afternoon, with the final result likely to be announced soon after postal ballots and electronic voting machine (EVM) rounds are fully counted.

The bypoll has drawn considerable attention not only for the political parties involved but also for what the outcome may signal ahead of larger electoral cycles in Jammu and Kashmir.

A Bypoll Triggered by a Tragic Loss

The by-election in Nagrota was necessitated after the death of Devender Singh Rana, the former MLA and a prominent political figure whose passing last year created the vacancy. He had won the assembly seat during the 2024 elections, and his daughter, Devyani Rana, has now stepped into the political arena seeking to carry forward her father’s legacy.

Her candidature has been viewed as both a symbolic continuation of a political lineage and a strategic move by the BJP to consolidate its presence in the constituency.

High Voter Turnout Reflects Strong Local Engagement

Nagrota witnessed a voter turnout of over 75 percent when polling was held on Tuesday, indicating robust public participation and strong interest in determining the constituency’s next representative. The high turnout has been attributed to local issues, the influence of candidate profiles, and the emotional significance surrounding the by-election.

Political observers believe this strong turnout could work in favour of candidates who managed to mobilize support at the grassroots level. For the BJP, Devyani Rana’s local connect and her father’s strong rapport with the constituency appear to have bolstered early support.

A Three-Way Contest With Statewide Implications

Although the BJP currently leads, the presence of Shamim Begum—an influential NC figure—and Harsh Dev Singh, a seasoned Panthers Party candidate, has made the contest unpredictable. Analysts suggest that the vote split among regional parties may shape the final outcome and could reflect shifting political dynamics in post-reorganization Jammu and Kashmir.

As counting continues, all eyes remain on Nagrota to see whether the early lead holds or if late-round swings overturn the initial trends.