NC, PDP, BJP Candidates File Nominations for Budgam By-Poll – Alfaaz – The Words

Srinagar: The political spotlight turned to Budgam on Monday as candidates from major parties, the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), filed their nomination papers for the upcoming by-election to the Budgam Assembly seat, on the last day of the nomination process.

National Conference candidate Aga Syed Mehmood submitted his nomination papers in the presence of Chief Minister and party Vice President Omar Abdullah, marking a high-profile start to the contest. From the PDP, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi filed his nomination, accompanied by party leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed Rehman Parra.

The BJP’s Aga Syed Mohsin also entered the fray, filing his papers in the company of Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, signalling the party’s intent to make the Budgam contest a triangular battle.

Adding further intrigue to the contest, former Apni Party leader Muntazir Mohiuddin submitted his nomination as an independent candidate.

Jibran Dar, who was among the candidates to contest the elections earlier on against Omar Abdullah, has also tendered his nomination on the segment.

The Budgam by-election is scheduled for November 11, with counting of votes on November 14. The by-poll was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat, opting to retain his traditional stronghold of Ganderbal following the 2024 Assembly elections.