Polling began early Tuesday morning in the Budgam Assembly constituency of Jammu & Kashmir, setting the stage for what many call one of the most closely watched bypolls in recent years.
As the winter chill hung in the air, voters started lining up outside 173 polling stations at 7 a.m., determined to make their voices count. The bypoll will decide the fate of 17 candidates, each representing different political visions for the future of Budgam. The voting process, officials confirmed, has so far been smooth and peaceful, backed by tight security arrangements that cover every polling station. Voting concludes at 6 p.m.
With over 1.26 lakh registered voters, the Budgam constituency carries not only electoral weight but also historical significance. This bypoll is being widely regarded as a litmus test for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his party, the National Conference (NC).
The election was called after Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat upon winning from his family bastion of Ganderbal during the previous assembly elections. Budgam has long been considered an NC stronghold, maintaining its dominance since 1962, with only a brief exception in 1972 when Congress claimed the seat.
NC’s Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, who has represented the area multiple times since 2002, made way for Abdullah in the last elections. Now, the battle returns to Budgam with renewed intensity, as Aga Syed Mehmood of the ruling NC faces off against Aga Muntazir of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Both are prominent Shia figures, making the contest deeply symbolic for the region’s political identity.
Other contenders in the field include Syed Mohsin of the BJP, Nazir Ahmad Khan from the Awami Ittehad Party, Deeba Khan of the Aam Aadmi Party, and independent candidate Muntazir Mohiuddin—each adding to the diversity of choice for Budgam’s voters.
As the day unfolds, Budgam’s people are not just electing a representative; they are shaping the narrative of democracy in a region that has long balanced between tradition and transformation. Every vote cast today is not just a mark on a ballot—it’s a statement of faith in the democratic process and hope for a better tomorrow.
Because in the heart of Kashmir, every vote tells a story—and today, Budgam is writing its own.
