BJP shows its presence in Kashmir for first time in municipal elections

The BJP on Saturday made impressive gains in the urban local body elections in four districts of militancy-infested south Kashmir. It won 53 of the 132 wards, which went to the polls in four phases earlier this month, election officials said.

The victory for the party has given it control of at least four of the 20 civic bodies in the four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian.

The results of 94 wards of south Kashmir have been declared so far in which the Congress has managed to win 28 seats. The party, thus, will have control of at least three municipal bodies.

The BJP did well in Shopian where its candidates won in 12 wards unopposed. Five wards in the district did not have any nominations.