PDP candidate for Budgam bypolls Aga Syed Muntazir Hassan Mehdi accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of betraying people of Jammu and Kashmir after coming to power.
Talking to Brighter Kashmir, Mehdi described the upcoming Budgam bypolls as more than a political contest calling it “a protest against the humiliation and injustice faced by the people of J&K.”
The Budgam bypolls, which was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat and retained the Ganderbal seat, will be held on November 11.
The PDP candidate alleged that NC after assuming power branded locals as “land grabbers” while the real encroachment was carried out by the government itself.
“The administration has unlawfully seized the property and rights of ordinary citizens while portraying them as culprits,” Mehdi said, emphasizing that this approach has deepened mistrust between the people and authorities.
The PDP candidate criticized the post-August 2019 policies, calling them a deliberate attempt to dehumanize and criminalize the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The struggle of our people is not merely political; it is a fight for dignity, identity, and basic human rights,” he asserted.
Highlighting the disparities in development, Mehdi slammed NC government and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for installation of smart meters for a mere 200 units of power calling it a symbolic act of neglect for the people of Budgam.
He stressed that the Budgam lags far behind other parts of Jammu and Kashmir in infrastructure, electricity, and basic amenities, reflecting the government’s failure to address local needs.
“NC is power-hungry and will go to any extent to grab authority even at the cost of public welfare,” Mehdi charged.
He urged the people to vote with conscience and unity, insisting that the PDP stands as the voice of resistance, truth, and justice in the face of political suppression.
Mehdi called on citizens to reject governance that prioritizes power over people.
“This election is a test of our collective voice. We must rise against injustice and reclaim what is rightfully ours—our dignity, rights, and future,” he said, appealing to the electorate to support transparency, accountability, and equitable development.
