Amid Ruhullah’s absence, Omar leads NC’s charge in crucial Budgam contest

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday joined the National Conference (NC) campaign for next week’s Budgam bypolls, urging people to support the party’s candidate and help make Budgam a “model assembly constituency.”Addressing a gathering in Budgam, Omar said that “all powers have united to defeat the National Conference,” but the party continues to stand by the principles on which it sought votes during last year’s Assembly elections.

The bypoll in Budgam was necessitated after Omar, who had won from both Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies, resigned from Budgam and retained his traditional Ganderbal seat. Omar was accompanied by several senior NC leaders as he campaigned for the party’s candidate Aga Syed Mahmood Mosavi.

The NC’s campaign comes amid the notable absence of Srinagar MP and senior NC leader Syed Aga Ruhullah, who has represented the Budgam constituency thrice and has chosen to stay away from the campaign.

“All the powers are in the field to defeat the National Conference and Aga Mehmood. Our only mistake is that the principles on which we sought votes a year ago are the same principles we continue to uphold,” Omar said.

Taking a dig at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Omar recalled the 2014 Assembly elections, saying, “They (PDP) asked for votes to keep the BJP out of power. People voted for them, but after the elections, they joined hands with the BJP and began destroying Jammu and Kashmir.”

He contrasted this with the NC’s position, asserting that the party “did not compromise its stand” after the 2024 elections. “This is the difference between PDP and NC. They sought votes against the BJP and later allied with them, while we stood firm on our promise, even if we were punished for that decision,” he said.

Omar further stated that had the BJP been in power in Jammu and Kashmir, “they might have already granted statehood to the region.” He also questioned why the PDP did not field a candidate in Nagrota, despite claiming to oppose the BJP.

Promising development for the constituency, Omar announced plans to establish a university in Budgam if the NC candidate wins, similar to the one set up in Ganderbal in 2008. “I intend to give Budgam its own university. I also discussed with the BCCI about setting up a cricket ground and an academy here, and inshallah, we will establish it in Budgam,” he said.

Addressing the issue of smart meters, Omar said it would be up to the people to decide on their installation, adding that 200 free electricity units could be provided only where meters are installed.

Urging people to vote for the NC, Omar said, “Support our candidate to strengthen the party’s relations with the government and make Budgam a model constituency over the next four years.”

Responding to questions about Aga Ruhullah’s absence from the campaign, Omar said he does not compel anyone to participate. “I don’t force anyone to campaign. But when the party succeeds, those who chose not to participate will not be part of the victory celebrations either,” he remarked.