As high-voltage campaigning came to a close on Sunday evening, Budgam is gearing up for the much-anticipated bypolls scheduled for Tuesday, where over 1.26 lakh voters will decide the fate of 17 candidates.
According to election officials, Budgam has 1.26 lakh registered voters spread across multiple polling stations, with authorities finalizing all arrangements for smooth and transparent polling.
Although 17 candidates are contesting, the main battle according to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) is emerging between National Conference (NC) candidate Aga Mehmood and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Aga Muntazir. However, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) nominee Nazir Ahmad Khan and Independent candidate Muntazir Mohiuddin are also drawing notable support in certain areas, adding an element of unpredictability to the contest.
The Budgam bypoll is being viewed as a key political test for Omar Abdullah’s one-year-old government in Jammu and Kashmir. With senior NC leader and MP Aga Rahullah staying away from the campaign, Omar took personal charge of rallying support for his party’s candidate.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spearheaded the NC’s campaign with a series of rallies across Budgam on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in support of Aga Mehmood. Addressing gatherings, Omar urged voters to back Mehmood for “development, employment generation, and relief on electricity bills.”
“If you want development of Budgam, job opportunities, and a reduction in electricity bills, then Aga Mehmood is the best choice,” Omar told supporters.
Accusing the opposition, particularly the PDP, of “opportunistic politics,” Omar reminded voters of the PDP’s 2015 alliance with the BJP.
On the other hand, the PDP mounted an aggressive counter-campaign led by party president Mehbooba Mufti, supported by Waheed Parra, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, and Iltija Mufti. The party held several rallies and conducted intensive door-to-door outreach to mobilize voters for Aga Muntazir.
During a rally in Budgam, Mehbooba Mufti accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of “betraying public trust” and failing to deliver on promises made before the polls.
“The National Conference has ignored the needs of common people,” she said. (KINS) Faizan Ahmad
