Top leaders join campaigning as Budgam Bypoll battle heats up
Faizan Ahmad
Srinagar, Nov 08 (KINS): As the Budgam Assembly bypoll approaches, political activity in the district has reached a crescendo with major parties intensifying their campaigns and exchanging sharp barbs, making it one of the most fiercely contested electoral battles.
The by-election, scheduled for November 11, was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat he won in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, choosing instead to retain his traditional stronghold of Ganderbal. The counting of votes will take place on November 14.
Although 17 candidates are in the fray, the primary contest is emerging between National Conference (NC) candidate Aga Mehmood and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Aga Muntazir. However, AIP’s Nazir Ahmad Khan and Independent Muntazir Mohiuddin are also drawing notable support in certain pockets, giving the contest an unpredictable edge.
In a show of strength, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led a series of rallies across Budgam on Friday and Saturday in support of the NC candidate. He urged voters to back Aga Mehmood, projecting him as a leader capable of ensuring all-round development, creating employment opportunities, and bringing relief on power tariffs.
“If you want development of Budgam, employment opportunities, and a reduction in electricity bills, then Aga Mehmood is the best choice,” Omar told a gathering.
The Chief Minister accused the opposition, particularly the PDP, of indulging in “opportunistic politics” for short-term gains.
“The PDP joined hands with the BJP in 2015 for political advantage. Now, you have an opportunity to choose wisely,” he said, describing the Budgam bypoll as “crucial for the district’s future.”
Meanwhile, the PDP has launched an aggressive counter-campaign, spearheaded by party president Mehbooba Mufti, along with Waheed Parra, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, and Iltija Mufti. The party has organized multiple rallies and intensified door-to-door outreach in an attempt to consolidate support for Aga Muntazir.
During a rally in Budgam, Mehbooba Mufti Saturday came down heavily on the Omar Abdullah-led government, accusing it of failing to deliver on promises made before the elections. She according to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) alleged that the National Conference had betrayed public trust and ignored the common people’s needs.
Aga Muntazir, echoing his party chief’s sentiments, said he joined politics to “correct the injustices and blunders committed with the people of Jammu and Kashmir over the last seven decades.”
“The National Conference has failed to deliver for 70 years. I am contesting to bring real change and correct the injustices done to Budgam,” he said.
The PDP candidate stated his focus on job creation and improving basic amenities.
“If elected, I will ensure that our district’s health and education infrastructure is upgraded and that our youth get employment opportunities. Unlike others who disappear after elections, I will remain among my people,” Muntazir said.
Adding to the electoral heat, senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina has also camped himself in Budgam to boost his party’s prospects. Raina accused both the NC and PDP of “decades of dynastic politics” and claimed that the people of Budgam are yearning for a change.
Similarly, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Saturday lashed out at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his remarks that only households with installed electricity meters would be eligible for 200 units of free power.
Addressing a rally in Budgam, Sharma accused the Chief Minister of misleading the public.
“Before the 2024 elections, Omar Abdullah promised 200 units of free electricity to everyone. After coming to power, he made meter installation mandatory and is now restricting the benefit to only metered connections. This is nothing but deception,” Sharma said, according to Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
He alleged that the government had failed to provide relief to ordinary citizens.
“Poor families who earlier received electricity bills of Rs 800 are now getting bills of Rs 1,500. Instead of admitting their failures, they are committing frauds and blaming others,” he said.
The BJP leader further accused the ruling party of resorting to divisive politics.
“They are spreading false propaganda that if people vote for BJP, Islam will be in danger. This is how they mislead people to hide their governance failures,” Sharma added. (KINS)
