Srinagar, Nov 10: Around 223,893 voters are set to cast their votes on Tuesday to decide the fate of 27 candidates contesting the by-elections in Budgam and Nagrota assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir.
The bypolls were necessitated by the resignation of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from the Budgam seat, which he vacated after retaining Ganderbal in the 2024 Assembly elections, and the demise of BJP stalwart Devender Singh Rana, who had been re-elected from Nagrota.
The high-stakes campaigning for both constituencies concluded on Sunday evening, with political heavyweights holding back-to-back rallies and door-to-door campaigns to woo voters ahead of polling on November 11. The results will be declared on November 14
According to officials, Budgam has 1.26 lakh registered voters, while Nagrota has 97,893 electors. Of the total 27 candidates, 17 are contesting from Budgam and 10 from Nagrota.
In Budgam, the contest has largely shaped up as a direct fight between National Conference (NC) candidate Aga Mehmood and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Aga Muntazir. However, AIP’s Nazir Ahmad Khan and Independent candidate Muntazir Mohiuddin have also drawn support in some pockets, adding an element of uncertainty to the race.
In Nagrota, the political battle appears triangular, with candidates from the BJP, NC, and National Panthers Party vying for supremacy.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led an energetic campaign for the NC, holding a series of rallies across Budgam on Friday and Saturday in support of Aga Mehmood. He appealed to voters to choose Mehmood for “development, employment generation, and relief on electricity bills.”
“If you want development of Budgam, job opportunities, and a reduction in electricity bills, then Aga Mehmood is the best choice,” Omar said at a rally.
Accusing the opposition, particularly the PDP, of indulging in “opportunistic politics,” Omar said the people should remember the PDP’s alliance with the BJP in 2015. “The PDP joined hands with the BJP for political advantage. Now you have a chance to decide wisely,” he said, terming the Budgam bypoll “crucial for the district’s future.”
Meanwhile, the PDP launched a strong counter-campaign led by party president Mehbooba Mufti, along with leaders Waheed Parra, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, and Iltija Mufti. The party held multiple rallies and intensified door-to-door outreach to consolidate support for Aga Muntazir.
During a rally in Budgam, Mehbooba Mufti accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of “betraying public trust” and failing to deliver on promises made before the polls. “The National Conference has ignored the needs of common people,” she said.
Senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina also camped in Budgam, accusing both the NC and PDP of “decades of dynastic politics” and claiming that “people are yearning for change.”
