The Congress had to suffer a huge jolt on Tuesday after BJP backed independent candidate Junaid Azim Mattu got elected as Mayor of Srinagar. Mattu had the support of Peoples Conference (PC) led by separatist-turned-MLA Sajad Lone, BJP and independents.

Congress, which emerged as single largest party with 16 corporators in 74-member SMC, had fielded Ghulam Rasool Hajam for the post of Mayor. However, he could muster only 26 votes while as Junaid Azim Mattu, who had won as independent from three wards, bagged 40 votes, two more than the required majority.

However, Congress backed independent candidate Sheikh Imran was elected as deputy Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC). Mattu, who had won as an independent from three wards, bagged 40 votes, two more than the required majority.

"Money, muscle power, administrative coercion, police and agencies were used to force the individual corporators to vote for Mattu. There were 53 independents. We still got 26 votes. Four votes from our quota were rejected. Two of our members including associate member violated the whip. In a nutshell it was not a vote of conviction but a vote of compulsion", said GA Mir, J&K state Congress president.

He said that they would investigate why corporators voted differently for Mayor and deputy Mayor elections. "As far as members who violated the whip, we will expel them from the party", he said.

Mattu said his victory is a message for traditional exploiters. "Change is inevitable. Change has come to Srinagar. Those who were living in delusion there were not change and empowerment. Today people have been empowered", he said.