J&K By-Polls: Omar Abdullah Missing From Budgam Campaigning, Claims PDP

The by-poll race in Budgam has intensified as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Conference (NC). During a campaign rally in the constituency, PDP leaders alleged that Omar Abdullah has been “missing” from the field ever since he left the Budgam seat after the assembly elections last year.

 

 

PDP’s Pulwama MLA Waheed Para and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti openly questioned Omar Abdullah’s absence. Addressing a rally, Para said, “J&K gave Omar Sahib 50 seats — but have you seen him since? We brought a bill to safeguard people’s land, and they joined hands with BJP to defeat it. NC has betrayed the people, abandoned its manifesto, and broken every promise. Budgam must speak against this betrayal.”

 

 

Echoing a similar sentiment, Iltija Mufti took a direct dig at Omar Abdullah, telling voters, “You’ll find 50 NC MLAs roaming across Budgam today but one MLA is nowhere to be seen. That MLA is Omar sb, the Chief Minister who took your votes last year and never returned to see you!”

 

The by-polls for two Assembly seats - Budgam and Nagrota- are scheduled for November 11, while counting of votes will take place on November 14.

 

 

The Budgam seat fell vacant after Omar Abdullah decided to retain Ganderbal, which he also won in last year’s polls. Meanwhile, Nagrota going to by-polls after the demise of sitting BJP MLA Devinder Rana.

 

 

For the Budgam contest, the National Conference has fielded former minister Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Mousvi, the BJP has nominated Aga Syed Mohsin Mosvi, while PDP has put forward Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi.

 

 

However, Omar Abdullah’s absence from the campaign trail has triggered speculation about growing internal differences within NC. The strained relationship between Omar and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, once a close party colleague and a multiple-term MLA from Budgam has now become visibly public.

 

 

Ruhullah has refused to campaign for the NC candidate in Budgam and has repeatedly criticised the party’s failure to deliver on major promises, especially its promise regarding the restoration of Article 370.

 

 

Political observers note that Omar’s distancing from Budgam rallies “speaks volumes” about the increasing factionalism shaping NC’s politics ahead of polling day.

 

On the other hand, PDP’s new face in Budgam, Aga Syed Muntazir, is reportedly drawing significant crowds. The PDP leadership appears unusually energetic in its campaign, with the party believing that a win in Budgam would be crucial for its revival ; after managing to secure only three seats in the previous assembly elections.

 

With just days left for polling, the battle for Budgam is turning into a fierce test of strength and perception- not only between rival parties but also within them.