Srinagar, Dec 22: Ruling Bhartiya Janata Party opened its account in District Development Council elections in Kashmir Valley by bagging Balhama seat in Srinagar outskirts.

BJP’s face Ajaz Hussain won the seat by a margin of 442 votes defeating his rival Jammu Kashmirir Apni Party candidate Ghulam Hasan who was polled 381 votes while BJP’s Ajaz Hussain secured 823 votes.

The victory of Hussain had become clear after he managed the hidden support from a top Shia cleric. The constituency represented by Hussain is Shia dominated.

Ajaz Hussain after the victory said he will work for his people and Development will always be on his agenda. He thanked people and top BJP campaigners including Maktar Abas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussin.

BJP in Kashmir province also bagged Tulail seat in far flung Gurez area. This constituency falls in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district and the candidate is Ajaz Ahmed Khan. Official announcement about his victory was still awaited.

In militancy infested South Kashmir, BJP candidate has secured a seat. BJP won this seat from Kakapora Block of Pulwama. BJP had won 3 seats from Kashmir till the filing of this report.

BJP Spokesman Altaf Thakur lost Dadsara South Kashmir seat by a thin margin.

Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration candidates along with Independent candidates were leading in most of the constituencies in Valley while BJP seems to be at forefront in Jammu.(KNT)