Campaign ends for Budgam, Nagrota byelections; NC, BJP look to retain seats

Campaigning for the Budgam and Nagrota bypolls concluded on Sunday, with both constituencies set to go to the polls on November 11. The contest, particularly in Nagrota, is expected to be closely fought, with no clear frontrunner emerging so far.

In Budgam, the National Conference (NC) has fielded Aga Syed Mahmood, a member of the Shia community. The BJP and the PDP have also nominated Shia candidates — Aga Syed Mohsin and Aga Syed Muntazir, respectively — making the contest a triangular one within the same sectarian community.

Budgam has long been considered a stronghold of the NC. Party vice-president Omar Abdullah had won from this constituency in last year’s Assembly elections, in addition to securing victory from Ganderbal. His decision to retain the Ganderbal seat necessitated the bypoll in Budgam.

The bypoll, however, has also exposed internal rifts within the NC. CM Omar Abdullah took a veiled dig at the party’s Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, a three-time former MLA from Budgam, for not participating in the campaign.

“No one can force anyone to campaign. He chose to go to Germany — perhaps he feels better there than in Budgam. We prefer to stay in Budgam and resolve the issues of our people here,” Abdullah said.

In Nagrota, an equally intense electoral battle is unfolding between Shamim Begum of the NC, Devyani Rana of the BJP, and Harsh Dev Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (India). The contest has drawn strong local participation, with senior leaders of all major parties campaigning extensively over the past few weeks.

Concluding her campaign, Devyani Rana said, “This election is about strengthening the journey of transformation that the BJP has initiated across Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP believes in ensuring ease of life for every citizen through housing for all, rural connectivity, women’s empowerment, youth skill development, and direct benefit transfers.”

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, while campaigning for NC candidate Shamim Begum, attacked the BJP for “neglecting Jammu” despite having 28 MLAs from the region.

“The Union government led by the BJP turned a blind eye to Jammu during the past year. Where were its legislators when our mothers and sisters were facing floods and landslides? Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and I were on the ground, shoulder to shoulder with our people. Not a single penny was sent by the Centre for relief or restoration,” Choudhary said.

Security review in Nagrota

Jammu SSP Joginder Singh on Sunday reviewed election preparedness and security arrangements for the Nagrota constituency. He directed officials to remain vigilant and ensure a peaceful voting atmosphere.

The SSP instructed police teams to exercise restraint while dealing with the public and maintain heightened security at sensitive locations. He said comprehensive measures had been put in place to ensure peace, safety, and law and order during the upcoming bypolls.