Nagrota bypoll result 2025: BJP’s Devyani Rana wins against JKNPP's Harsh Dev Singh, NC's Shamim Begum

SRINAGAR: In a high-stakes triangular contest in Nagrota, BJP’s Devyani Rana emerged victorious by 24,647 votes, defeating JKNPP’s Harsh Dev Singh and NC’s Shamim Begum. The results were announced on Friday, with counting having begun at 8am. Voting was held on Tuesday amid tight security arrangements, with polling officials describing the exercise as largely peaceful and enthusiastic.According to Election Commission data, Nagrota recorded 75.08% polling, slightly lower than the 77.66% turnout registered during the 2024 assembly elections.The bypoll was necessitated after the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana in October last year. His daughter, Devyani Rana, is contesting as the BJP candidate, hoping to ride a wave of sympathy and her late father’s goodwill.The triangular contest features BJP’s Devyani Rana, National Conference (NC) candidate and sitting DDC member Shamim Begum, and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) president Harsh Dev Singh, a seasoned politician and former state education minister.Devyani, an economics graduate from the University of California and a business entrepreneur, has campaigned on the promise of “professional and inclusive development” while invoking her father’s legacy of progress in Nagrota.Her key rival, Shamim Begum, has relied on grassroots mobilisation and the NC’s organisational strength, promising continuity in governance and a focus on women’s empowerment. Meanwhile, Harsh Dev Singh — contesting Nagrota for the first time — has projected himself as a viable alternative to both national parties, emphasising his legislative experience and local connect.A total of 97,980 voters were eligible to decide the fate of 10 candidates in the bypoll. Long queues were seen at polling stations like Kol Kandoli, where voters turned up early to cast their votes.Nagrota has alternated between the BJP and NC in the last five Assembly elections since 1996. Interestingly, the Congress chose to stay away, neither fielding a candidate nor officially joining the NC campaign, despite being part of a broader opposition alliance in the Union Territory.With counting underway under tight security, all eyes are now on whether the Rana family’s political legacy continues or if Nagrota scripts a surprise verdict in this closely watched contest.