In a significant electoral triumph, Shagun Parihar, the lone BJP woman candidate in Jammu and Kashmir, won the Kishtwar Assembly seat on Tuesday, five years after losing her father and uncle in a terror attack. Parihar defeated seasoned National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo, securing victory by a narrow margin of 521 votes.
Parihar polled 29,053 votes, maintaining a lead throughout the vote count, while Kitchloo, who had held the seat twice before, finished with 28,532 votes. The PDP’s Firdos Ahmed Tak trailed far behind with only 997 votes, losing his deposit. Parihar, who entered politics after her family tragedy, expressed deep gratitude to the people of Kishtwar for their trust in her.
“I bow before the people of Kishtwar for their faith in me and my party. I am humbled by their endorsement,” Parihar said after her victory. She emphasized that her win symbolizes the will of the “nationalist people of Jammu and Kashmir” and pledged to focus on security, a pressing issue in the region scarred by years of unrest. “My message to the people is to strive for peace, progress, and prosperity. I will work for the safety and security of the region,” she added.
BJP workers celebrated Parihar’s win with enthusiasm, gathering in Kishtwar to chant slogans, beat drums, and wave party flags. They also cheered the victory of Sunil Sharma in the Paddar Nagseni constituency.At 29, Parihar, who holds a Master of Technology degree in Electronics and is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in the same field, has had little previous political involvement beyond grassroots work. Despite her personal grief, she emphasized that her victory honors all families who have sacrificed in the fight agains t terrorism. “This win is not just mine; it honors those who have given their lives for this nation,” she said.
Parihar also noted that employment opportunities for educated youth would be a key focus of her work, underscoring the need for economic progress in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah campaigned extensively for her, praising her resilience and commitment to the cause of families affected by terrorism.
