Who Is Shagun Parihar? The Youngest Winner In J&K Elections

Shagun Parihar has created history by becoming the youngest winner of the 2024 J&K assembly elections and she is one of just three women to win in the 2024 J&K elections.

In the election, she defeated veteran National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo by a margin of just 521 votes.

While Parihar secured 29,053 votes, Kitchloo, who previously won the seat in 2002 and 2008 and his father three times, garnered 28,532 votes and PDP's Firdos Ahmed Tak lost deposit by receiving 997 votes.

Who is Shagun Parihar?

Five years ago she had lost her father and uncle in a terror attack and she had vowed to fight for the security of the region.

"I bow before the people of Kishtwar for their faith in me and my party. Their support is deeply appreciated. I am humbled by their endorsement," PTI quoted Parihar as telling reporters after emerging victorious.

She is currently pursuing a PhD in Electronics. She holds a Master's degree in Technology in Electronics. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah actively campaigned for her, praising her dedication to the cause of supporting the families of martyrs in the region.

Parihar has claimed that her victory belongs to those who have sacrificed for the nation while battling terrorism in the valley.

"My victory honours all those who have sacrificed their lives fighting terrorism and protecting the country," she added.

She aims to make Jammu and Kashmir "free of terrorism and heaven for tourists".

Earlier, she had said, "I am reminded of the old days, especially Bhaderwah where shooting for films was hit after the eruption of terrorism as film-makers stopped coming to this place. After 10 years of hard work we are not only seeking to bring back film-makers of our country to this place, but also we are working in the direction to pave the way for international film-makers to come here.