Anantnag, June 4: National Conference (NC) candidate Main Altaf Ahmad Larvi registered a comfortable victory from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday.
Altaf defeated his nearest rival and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti by a margin of 2,81,749 votes.
Altaf polled 5,21,836 votes while Mufti bagged 2,40,042 votes.
Apni Party candidate Zafar Iqbal Manhas secured 1,42,195 votes and finished third.
A total of 20 candidates were in the poll fray.
The seat went to polls on May 25 and a three-cornered contest between Altaf, Mufti, and Manhas was expected.
Amidst a stringent security arrangement, the counting for the votes started at Government Degree College (GMC), Anantnag.
From the very first round, Altaf seized a lead bagging 36,962 votes while Mehbooba trailed with 16,542 votes.
Speaking to reporters after securing victory, Altaf extended his gratitude to the voters.
Talking to reporters, he said that he was indebted to the voters for ensuring his victory from a prestigious seat.
“I am particularly thankful to the people of Anantnag and Kulgam who voted in my favour,” he said.
Altaf also extended his gratitude to the National Conference (NC) candidates.
Conceding her defeat, Mufti took to X and posted, “Respecting the verdict of the people I thank my PDP workers and leaders for their hard work and support despite all the odds. My deepest gratitude to the people who voted for me. Winning and losing are part of the game and won’t deter us from our path. Congratulations to Mian Sahab for his victory.”