2.23 lakh voters to decide fate of 27 candidates in Nagrota, Budgam

In a litmus test for both the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), two seats – Nagrota in Jammu and Budgam in Kashmir – will go to bypolls on Tuesday, a year after the Assembly polls were held in the Union Territory (UT). Together, the two seats have 2,23,918 registered voters who will decide the fate of 27 candidates.

In Nagrota, 97,893 voters will cast their ballots across 150 polling stations to choose among 10 candidates. The constituency has witnessed a close contest between the BJP and NC since 1996, with the BJP winning thrice — in 2002, 2008, and 2024 — and the NC twice, in 1996 and 2014.

The seat, with a mixed population of Muslim Gujjars and Rajputs, has seen a spirited campaign. NC’s Shamim Begum, a Gujjar and current District Development Council (DDC) member, faces BJP’s Devyani Rana, daughter of late BJP leader Devender Singh Rana, who had won the seat last year by a margin of over 30,000 votes. His demise shortly after the results necessitated the bypoll.

The BJP campaigned aggressively in the constituency, with senior leaders and ministers visiting Nagrota to bolster support for Devyani. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a brief visit to campaign for the NC candidate, while J&K Panthers Party (India) leader Harsh Dev Singh emerged as a strong third contender in the later phase of campaigning.

The Congress chose not to field a candidate, aiming to avoid a split in the opposition vote that could benefit the BJP. Authorities have also enhanced security in sensitive areas to ensure peaceful polling.

In Central Kashmir’s Budgam constituency, the bypoll is being viewed as a test of the ruling NC’s hold over the region. The seat fell vacant after Omar Abdullah, who won both Budgam and Ganderbal in last year’s Assembly elections, chose to retain Ganderbal.

The contest has drawn significant political attention, with the absence of senior NC leader and Srinagar MP Syed Aga Ruhullah, who previously represented Budgam thrice, being notably felt. The main battle is expected between NC’s Aga Syed Mahmood and PDP’s Aga Muntazir, though 17 candidates are in the fray.

According to the Election Commission, Budgam has 1,26,025 voters, including 63,803 men and 62,222 women, who will vote across 173 polling stations.

Campaigning in Budgam saw intense political activity, with Omar Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, and Leader of the Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma addressing rallies in the constituency.

The electioneering in both constituencies concluded peacefully on Sunday evening, setting the stage for a keenly watched electoral battle.