Srinagar: All arrangements have been put in place for the much-anticipated by-elections in the Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies, scheduled to be held tomorrow, November 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14, officials said.
A total of 27 candidates - 17 in Budgam and 10 in Nagrota - are contesting in what are being seen as politically significant by-polls likely to shape the balance of power in both the central and Jammu regions of the Union Territory.
The by-elections were necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat, choosing to retain Ganderbal following his dual victory in the 2024 Assembly polls, and following the passing of senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana, who represented Nagrota.
Intense Contest in Budgam

In Budgam, a high-voltage campaign concluded on Sunday with major political parties making their final appeals to voters. The National Conference (NC) has fielded Aga Mehmood, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is represented by Aga Syed Muntazir. The BJP has nominated Aga Syed Mohsin, with AAP's Deeba Khan, AIP's Nazir Ahmad Khan, and independents Muntazir Mohiuddin and Muhammad Maqbool Bhat also in the fray.
Once an NC bastion, Budgam has become a multi-cornered battlefield, with local independents and smaller parties seeking to tap into voter discontent over unfulfilled promises.

Historically a National Conference bastion, Budgam was represented for three consecutive terms by Aga Ruhullah before Omar Abdullah's victory in 2024. This time, however, internal rifts within the NC and the presence of multiple strong candidates have made the bypoll a major test of the party's standing in central Kashmir.

The campaign in Budgam witnessed heavy political activity till the final hour. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, joined by Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, led roadshows for NC candidate Mohammad Mahmood, urging voters to“support progress and stability.”

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti canvassed for her party's nominee Aga Syed Muntazir, while the BJP pushed a spirited campaign for Aga Syed Mohsin, with senior leaders, including Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, addressing several rallies.

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