Srinagar – Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Friday that all major parties have joined forces to challenge the National Conference (NC) ahead of the upcoming by‑poll in the Budgam Assembly constituency.
Abdullah told a rally for Noel NC candidate Aga Mehmood that the NC “stands firm on its promises.” He added that the party has once again kept its word, unlike other parties that failed to do so in the 2014 elections.
“Back in 2014,” Abdullah said, “a single party told you they would keep the BJP out of power in J&K. You voted for them and now the BJP is in control, tearing the state apart. The NC, however, will fulfill every promise it made in the 2024 elections.”
The Budgam by‑poll will take place on November 11. The seat became vacant after Omar Abdullah, who won both Budgam and Ganderbal in the 2024 elections, chose to resign from Budgam and represent Ganderbal in the 90‑member J&K Legislative Assembly.
The NC has fielded Aga Mehmood as its nomination. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has nominated Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen Aga Mohsin. An independent candidate, Muntazir Mohiuddin, who left the Apni Party after resigning as chief spokesperson for Altaf Bukhari, will also contest.
In Budgam, NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has distance himself from the party’s campaign, saying he cannot urge voters to support the NC on unfulfilled promises.
The by‑poll will also be held on November 11 in the Nagrota Assembly seat, Jammu district. Nagrota fell vacant when BJP candidate Devender Singh Rana died on October 31, 2024. The BJP will run Rana’s daughter, Devyani Rana, in the rematch.
Election watchers expect a tight race as the NC, PDP, BJP and independents all vie for control of the Budgam seat, while the Nagrota contest could swing with the new family candidate.
Source: ianslive
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