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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has made its mark in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant victory for the party. Mehraj Malik, the AAP candidate, secured a decisive win in the Doda constituency, defeating his closest rival from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by a comfortable margin of over 4,538 votes. This triumph signifies the party's entry into the state's political landscape and its growing influence in the region.
Malik's win is a testament to his campaign and the appeal of the AAP's message to the voters of Doda. He garnered 23,228 votes, while the BJP's Gajay Singh Rana managed to secure 18,690 votes. The National Conference leader and former minister, Khalid Najib Suharwardy, received 13,334 votes, and DPAP leader Abdul Majid Wani garnered 10,027 votes. The Congress candidate, Sheikh Riaz Ahmad, finished a distant fifth with 4,170 votes.
The AAP, known for its presence in Delhi and Punjab, has been making strides to expand its reach across India. The party secured national party status in September of last year and has been actively participating in state elections, including the recent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP's National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister, expressed his delight and congratulated Mehraj Malik on his victory, highlighting the party's growing strength across the country. He even extended an invitation to Malik for a visit to Kashmir on October 10, signifying the party's commitment to engaging with the region.
This victory in Doda marks a significant milestone for the AAP, marking its presence in five states: Delhi, Punjab, Goa, Gujarat, and now, Jammu and Kashmir. This expansion signifies the party's growing influence and its ambition to establish itself as a national political force. The results of the Jammu and Kashmir elections are sure to be analyzed and debated in the political arena, with the AAP's entry into the state adding a new dimension to the political landscape.
Source: Who is Mehraj Malik, who opened AAP’s account in Jammu and Kashmir, defeated BJP in Doda