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Budgam Bypoll Pits Three ‘Aga’ Heavyweights as NC Faces Public Rift

The contest has become a personalised fight within a powerful Shia lineage that doubles as a verdict on NC’s first year in office.

Overview

  • NC fields former minister Aga Syed Mehmood for the seat Omar Abdullah vacated after retaining Ganderbal in 2024, with polling set for November 11.
  • PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi campaigns on service grievances, accusing NC and Abdullah of abandoning Budgam and highlighting water, roads and healthcare.
  • BJP’s Aga Syed Mohsin presses an anti-incumbency pitch focused on development, jobs and industry, saying voters are prioritising livelihoods over Article 370 or statehood.
  • Mehmood defends the government’s first year, calling five-year results in one year unfair and pointing to Jammu and Kashmir’s dual power structure.
  • Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah declines to campaign for NC, posting that his loyalty is to his conscience and principles as roughly 20 candidates file nominations.