Anti-Modi alliance wins most seats

An alliance of political parties in Indian-administered Kashmir opposed to India's policies in the region has won a majority of seats in local elections, the first since New Delhi revoked the disputed region's semi-autonomous status last year. 

The Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), which is pro-India but favours self-governance in Kashmir, won 112 of a total of 280 seats in District Development Council elections, which were held in a staggered eight-phase process from November 28 through December 19.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 74 seats. Independent candidates won 49 seats while India's main opposition Congress party won 26 seats.

Political activities in the region came to a halt after the abrogation of Article-370 in August last year when most of the political leaders were detained in the region.

The election is part of a process in which residents directly elect their village representatives, who then vote to form development councils for clusters of villages. The councils have no legislative power.

The Kashmir-based politicians said the election results made it clear that Kashmiri people have rejected last year's decision.