J&K assembly polls: Congress’s Gulam Ahmad Mir triumphs in Dooru, secures over 29,000-vote victory

Gulam Ahmad Mir of the Indian National Congress won the Dooru seat in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, defeating the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party's Mohammad Ashraf Malik by more than 29,728 votes, according to the Election Commission. Mir secured 44,270 votes, while Malik received 14,542 votes.

Candidates in the Dooru Constituency
In Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir of the Congress faced off against Mohammad Ashraf Malik of the PDP, a former District and Sessions Judge. This constituency was traditionally viewed as a Congress stronghold.

Election Campaign Highlights
The southern constituency of Dooru in Anantnag district stood at the forefront of political activity in Jammu and Kashmir. The election campaign was notable for its high-profile participants, with star campaigners such as Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Kanhaiya Kumar, along with former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, rallying for their respective candidates.

Voter Concerns and Electorate Demographics
The electorate in Dooru comprised approximately 115,805 voters. Local issues, particularly healthcare and educational facilities, took centre stage in the campaign discussions, highlighting the community's pressing concerns.

Past Election Performance
Ghulam Ahmad Mir had a history of success in this constituency, having previously won the seat in 2002 and 2008. In the last election, Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi of the PDP secured victory by a narrow margin of just 161 votes, obtaining 18,150 votes for a vote share of 37.58%.

Election Results
As per the latest Election Commission data, JKNC won 39 seats and led in 3, while Congress won 6 seats in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP secured victory in 27 seats and led in 2. The Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, held on September 18, September 25, and October 1, witnessed a 63.88% voter turnout, marking the first elections since the abrogation of Article 370. Major parties, including the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and Congress as part of the INDIA alliance, contested the elections jointly, while the PDP and BJP fought independently.