The by-election to the Budgam assembly constituency in central Kashmir has turned out to be an interesting one, with three strong members of the politically influential Shia community contesting against each other. Let us remind you that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had won from Budgam and Ganderbal seats in the 2024 assembly elections and later he retained the Ganderbal seat, considered the stronghold of the Abdullah family, and resigned from the Budgam seat, due to which the by-election became necessary. Now Agha Syed Mehmood from National Conference, Agha Syed Muntajir Mehdi from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Agha Syed Mohsin from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are trying their luck from this vacant seat.
Former minister Syed Mahmood rejected criticism of the National Conference government by opposition parties. He termed it as ‘unfair’ to demand an account of five years’ work within 12 months, especially in view of the complexities of the ‘dual power system’ in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “The dedication that Omar Abdullah has shown is unmatched and I believe no one can match his efforts,” Syed Mahmood said, citing recent government decisions like the announcement of ‘Durbar shifting’ and sending the report of the Cabinet sub-committee on reservation to the Lieutenant Governor.
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On the challenge from his relative and PDP candidate Syed Muntazir Mehdi, Mehmood said, “This is politics and in politics even a son can fight against his father… Although we have family ties, we belong to two different parties. Let both of us enjoy this freedom.” On the absence of party MP Agha Ruhullah from the Budgam by-election campaign, Syed Mahmood said that it does not make any difference.
On the other hand, PDP’s Syed Muntajir Mehdi is not only contesting the election on the issue of development, but he is also contesting the election on the issue of ‘neglect of the people by the National Conference’. Mehdi accused Omar Abdullah of betraying the people. He claimed that Abdullah had promised to retain the Budgam seat if he won with a huge majority but resigned from the seat within a week.
The third candidate Agha, BJP’s Syed Mohsin, is confident of an anti-incumbency wave against both the National Conference and the PDP. “The National Conference has not been successful,” he said. What has he done for Budgam till date? It ruled for 50 years…and the PDP has neglected Budgam since 2002.” Syed Mohsin claimed that development took place in Jammu and Kashmir during the decade-long BJP rule at the Centre. Claiming BJP’s victory in the by-elections, he said, “People do not care about Article 370 or statehood, they want development and employment.”
Let us tell you that so far 20 candidates have filed their nominations for the Budgam by-election. Voting for this seat will be held on November 11. During last year’s Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Omar Abdullah won from Budgam with 36,010 votes, while PDP’s Mehdi got 17,525 votes.