Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s decision to stay away from the ongoing Budgam by-election has created ripples in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, especially for the National Conference (NC). Mehdi, a significant political figure in the region, has opted not to contest or formally support any candidate so far, leaving parties and voters closely watching his next move.
The upcoming by-election in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam constituency is in fact shaping up as a significant political battle for the ruling National Conference (NC) which is facing scrutiny over its performance after completing a year in the government last week.
Political atmosphere in the central Kashmir constituency heated up on Saturday (October 18) after the main contenders and the candidates of NC and PDP filed their nomination papers.
The Srinagar Lok Sabha MP has publicly expressed displeasure with the style of functioning of the Union territory’s first elected government led by Abdullah, accusing the party of betraying its mandate and compromising its 2024 assembly election manifesto.
After his election to the Lok Sabha last year, it is believed that Ruhullah got the chief minister to contest from Budgam in the first assembly election of the Union territory. Abdullah fought from two seats amid fears that the party’s traditional Ganderbal constituency could throw up an unpleasant surprise.
Political analysts suggest that Mehdi’s absence could be a setback for NC, particularly if he decides to support a rival candidate with a strong voter base. “While his personal decision not to contest may not directly harm NC, his influence among local voters could shift the balance if extended to another candidate,” said a senior political commentator in Srinagar.Local party workers and leaders have been actively reaching out to Mehdi, hoping for clarity on his stance. As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding his support for any party or individual. This has fueled speculation and strategic maneuvering among political parties, each trying to gauge potential alliances before the final phases of campaigning.
Observers note that the by-election has already seen heavy activity from major political parties, including NC, PDP, AAP, and several independent candidates. Large gatherings and rallies have marked the filing of nomination papers, reflecting the high stakes involved in this constituency.
The coming days are expected to be crucial as political equations could change depending on Mehdi’s decision. While his absence does not automatically indicate NC’s defeat, it introduces a level of uncertainty that both parties and voters are watching closely.
For now, the focus remains on Mehdi’s potential endorsements rather than his absence, with political analysts emphasizing that his influence could be the deciding factor in this tightly contested Budgam by-election.
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