Central Kashmir is bracing for a fierce political showdown as candidates from the ruling National Conference (NC), opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and several independents filed their nomination papers at the office of the District Election Officer (Deputy Commissioner) Budgam on Monday.

The November 11 Budgam by-poll has become a focal point for enduring political loyalties and rising local aspirations, intensifying the scrutiny on all main contenders.

Counting of votes will take place on November 14, marking the conclusion of what is expected to be a tightly fought race.

According to the Election Commission’s schedule, the notification for the Budgam by-poll was issued on October 13, while the last date for filing nomination papers was October 20.

The scrutiny of nominations will be held on October 22, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed as October 24.

The NC has fielded veteran Shia leader Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Mousavi, while the BJP has nominated Aga Syed Mohsin Mosvi.

The PDP has chosen Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, who lost to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in last year’s election.

A total of 19 candidates have filed nomination papers for the Budgam assembly constituency.

Among them are Nazir Ahmad Khan, Muntazir Mohiuddin, Parvez Ahmad Mir, Deeba Khan, Muhammad Sameer Bhat, Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, Owais Ashraf Shah, Mukhtar Ahmad Dar, Manzoor Ahmad Ganie, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Muhammad Abas Dar, Shabir Ahmad Ganie, Muhammad Shafi Shah, Farooq Ahmad, Jibran Firdous Dar, and Aditi Sharma.

The filing of nominations at the DC Office turned into a show of strength for all three major political parties.

Aga Mehmood was accompanied by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and senior NC leaders.

BJP’s Syed Mohsin was joined by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, while PDP candidate Aga Muntazir Mehdi arrived with senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Lone (Hanjura) and MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para.

After submitting his papers, Aga Mehmood told reporters that the NC has played a pivotal role in shaping Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah’s political career.

“It’s the NC that made him what he is today. His role in the party is important, and I believe he will definitely come forward in the campaign,” Mehmood said, adding that he has been in regular contact with Ruhullah. “Politics aside, he’s like my own son. We have been continuously talking. Ruhullah’s statements reflect the party’s issues, not personal opinions. Whether it’s Article 370, 35-A, or reservation, these are NC issues.”

Speaking to reporters after Mehmood filed his nomination papers, CM Omar said that Aga Mehmood has the full backing of the party leadership.

“The NC president, after detailed discussions with senior leaders, approved Aga Mehmood’s candidature. There was no delay. Most candidates filed nominations today, and we took our decision strategically,” he said.

About the expected support from Aga Ruhullah, CM Omar refrained from making detailed remarks, saying there was nothing more to add.

“Aga Mehmood Sahab has already said that Aga Ruhullah is like his son. He expects his support for the upcoming by-election. What else can I say on it?” he said.

However, senior Aga Ruhullah reacted sharply to Aga Syed Mehmood’s remarks that Ruhullah would campaign for the party in the Budgam assembly by-election.

In a post on microblogging site X, Ruhullah said his loyalty rests with his conscience and principles, not with narratives being imposed upon him.

“My loyalty is to my conscience and principles,” Ruhullah wrote.

Expressing respect for his elders in the family, he urged them not to belittle his political struggle or misrepresent his stance.

“While I hold respect for my elders in my family, I request them not to belittle my fight (our fight). If they can’t comprehend it and be part of it, at least don’t drag me and my struggle to this level,” Ruhullah said.

Meanwhile, PDP candidate Aga Muntazir Mehdi came out strongly against both the NC and BJP, accusing them of failing to deliver on the promises made to the people of J&K.

“Both NC and BJP have miserably failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people,” Mehdi said. “The NC was given a huge mandate last year, but it has done nothing to address unemployment, power shortages, or developmental stagnation. People are losing faith in traditional politics because promises are made only to be forgotten after elections,” he said.

Mehdi said that the PDP’s focus would remain on rebuilding trust and addressing governance at the grassroots level.

“Our priority is to resolve Budgam’s core problems. People have waited too long for basic governance. We aim to solve real issues, not play politics, and ensure every resident’s voice is heard,” Mehdi said.

This by-election tests the NC’s organisational strength and unity since returning to power, becoming a pivotal measure of its grip on Budgam.

The by-poll was necessitated after CM Omar vacated the Budgam seat while retaining Ganderbal.

The constituency, a traditional NC stronghold since 1996, has long been influenced by the Aga Syed family’s political legacy.

However, shifting loyalties, emerging local voices, and increasing political competition have added an unpredictable edge to the upcoming poll.

In the 2024 election, CM Omar had secured the seat by a margin of 18,485 votes over PDP’s Aga Muntazir Mehdi, even as voter turnout dipped slightly to 52 percent, a reflection of both enduring party loyalty and growing public discontent over unfulfilled promises.

With a voter base of around 1.26 lakh, spread across both urban and rural belts, Budgam holds a pivotal place in central Kashmir’s political landscape.

District authorities have established 173 polling stations and launched awareness drives to encourage voter participation, particularly among first-time voters.

Security agencies have described Budgam as “sensitive but manageable,” with area mapping, deployment planning, and confidence-building patrols already underway to ensure peaceful polling.