J&K: PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Wins Budgam Bypoll; BJP Retains Nagrota Seat

Srinagar, Nov 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly bypoll results on Friday saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinching the Budgam seat, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a comfortable victory in Nagrota.

In Budgam, PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi defeated National Conference (NC) candidate Aga Syed Mehmood by over 4,186 votes. The constituency witnessed a crowded contest with 17 candidates, including those from the Apni Party and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP).

Speaking to news agency, Mehdi said voters had chosen “change and accountability”, adding that Budgam had been neglected over the past year and would now receive effective representation in the Assembly.

The PDP’s win was buoyed by internal rifts within the NC. Senior Shia leader and MP Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a former three-time MLA, publicly refused to campaign for the NC nominee, citing delays in the Reservation Sub-Committee report, issues with smart power meters, and concerns over the party’s stance on statehood and Article 370. He had even asked that his name and image not be used during campaigning. Celebrations broke out across Budgam soon after the results were declared.

Meanwhile in Nagrota, BJP candidate Devyani Rana won by a margin of over 21,000 votes, defeating Harsh Dev Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP). NC’s Shamim Begum finished a distant third with just over 10,000 votes. Rana, daughter of late MLA Devender Singh Rana, entered politics after her father’s death on October 31, 2024. Her victory further strengthens the BJP’s foothold in the Jammu region.

The Budgam bypoll was held after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat following his victory from both Ganderbal and Budgam in the 2024 Assembly polls, choosing to represent Ganderbal. The Nagrota bypoll was necessitated by the demise of Devender Singh Rana. (Agencies)