Srinagar, Oct 23 (IANS): The BJP on Friday wrested control of the powerful Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Jammu and Kashmir from the Congress, winning 17 out of 24 seats in the 26-member body declared so far.

"Of the 24 results available so far, the BJP has won 17 seats, the Congress has won four, the National Conference two and one seat has gone to an independent candidate," a poll official told IANS on phone from Leh town of Ladakh.

Result of two seats is still awaited, he said.

Elections were held on October 17.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) coalition partner in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, which also contested the elections, failed to register a win.

The Congress which controlled the outgoing LAHDC has conceded defeat.

Senior Congress leader and sitting Leh legislator Nawang Rigzin Jora told reporters: "The campaigning by BJP leaders in Leh has made all the difference.

"We had expected victory because of the good work we did during our time."