Better late than never: J&K parties back bypolls in Budgam, Nagrota

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition BJP, on Monday welcomed the Election Commission’s announcement of bypolls for the Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies. The bypolls will be held on November 11, and the counting of votes will take place on November 14.

NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said that although delayed, the decision to hold byelections for the two vacant seats was a welcome one. “We have been seeking a bypoll for the vacant seats ever since (Chief Minister) Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat. Finally, the people of the Budgam segment will have their representative in the Assembly,” Sadiq said.

He added that the party’s parliamentary board would take the final call on candidates. “As of now, we are contesting both seats,” he said.

The BJP and the PDP also welcomed the bypoll schedule. “We welcome the decision to hold bypolls as it is part of the democratic process,” said BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur. On the delay, he remarked, “The Election Commission is an autonomous body and political parties cannot impose themselves on it. Only the Election Commission knows why the polls were delayed. As political parties, we follow its decisions.”

On whether the BJP would contest both seats, Thakur said party leaders Sat Sharma and Ashok Koul had been called to Delhi. “BJP is always ready for elections. I think it will be clear in a day or two who will be our candidates,” he added.

PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan also welcomed the move, saying the absence of representation had hampered Budgam’s development.“Better late than never. It is the right of the people to have an elected representative who will speak for them on issues like development,” Bhan said.

He added that the party’s political affairs committee would decide on contesting both seats. “We have done well in Budgam and will be contesting from there. As for Nagrota, a decision will be taken in due course,” he said.

The Budgam seat fell vacant on October 21, 2024, after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chose to retain Ganderbal, while the Nagrota seat fell vacant on October 31, 2024, following the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana.