The ruling National Conference and opposition BJP have intensified their poll campaigning in the Budgam Assembly seat, which is going to bypolls on November 11.

Senior NC leaders including MLAs Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Dr. Muhammad Shafi, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Syed Muhammad Yousuf, and G N Bhat campaigned for NC candidate Agha Mehmood in different areas of the constituency.
The leaders cautioned people against falling prey to opportunistic politics of PDP, whose alliance with the BJP in 2015, opened gates of betrayal laying the groundwork for the disempowerment and political subjugation that culminated in 2019.
They recalled how the “unholy alliance” dismantled the foundations of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and autonomy, setting into motion a series of events that altered the region’s destiny.
The leaders cautioned voters against those now trying to wear new masks to mislead voters once again, saying that the people of Budgam have always been known for their dignity, discernment, and devotion to truth — values that the National Conference continues to uphold with pride and conviction.
23 candidates including NC’s Agha Mehmood, PDP’s Aga Muntazir and BJP’s Aga Mohsin are in fray from Budgam seat, the bypolls for which was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat and retained the Ganderbal seat.
The BJP has also intensified its campaign for Budgam by-election with party general secretary Ashok Koul leading a series of meetings in the constituency.
Ashok Koul accompanied by party leaders including Hakeem Ruhalla, District President Budgam, Imtiyaz Bhat, Sheikh Bashir, and Sunita Raina, visited Booth No. 71 at Hakarmulla Budgam, Booth Nos. A.B 36 & 37 at Wahpora Budgam, and other nearby locations to mobilize party workers and interacted with the electorate.
Addressing the gatherings, Koul urged the people to strengthen the hands of the BJP by extending full support to the party’s candidate, Aga Mohsin, who he said represents the vision of development, peace, and accountability in Budgam.
“The BJP stands for a transparent, people-centric government that ensures justice to every section of society. The days of neglect and favoritism are over. Budgam deserves modern infrastructure, better education, youth empowerment, and employment opportunities,” he said.
Koul said the Modi government has given special focus to Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring equitable development and empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions. “Every vote for the BJP is a vote for stability, development, and self-reliance.”
The bypolls to Budgam assembly constituency will be an early litmus test for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s National Conference just over a year into its term.
Budgam, a Shia-dominated constituency in central Kashmir with around 1.25 lakh voters, witnessed a 66 percent turnout in the 2024 assembly elections.
This seat has long been a stronghold of the National Conference and now serves as a referendum on the government’s performance in its first year, with opposition parties accusing it of not fulfilling promises made in the manifesto.
The race in Budgam has turned into a high-stakes “Aga v Aga v Aga" battle among three prominent candidates from the influential Shia Aga family. Aga Syed Mehmood of NC, a former minister, is relying on the party’s cadre strength and historical loyalty.
Aga Mehdi of PDP and Aga Moshin of BJP are banking on anti-incumbency sentiments against the NC candidate.