Voting for the by-elections to eight Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir began on Tuesday morning, with voters turning out early to elect their new representatives in Budgam and Nagrota. Officials confirmed that polling started at 7 a.m. under tight security arrangements across all designated polling stations.
The Budgam Assembly bypoll 2025 features 20 candidates in the contest, while the Nagrota constituency in the Jammu region has 13 candidates vying for the seat. The elections are being held peacefully across both regions with high voter enthusiasm and strict security deployment.
Budgam Bypoll 2025: 20 Candidates Compete in Central Kashmir
In Budgam, voting is underway at 173 polling stations spread across the constituency, where the electoral battle is being closely watched. The seat is witnessing a multi-cornered contest, with Aga Syed Mehmood of the National Conference (NC) facing a strong challenge from Aga Muntazir of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Other key contenders include:
- Syed Mohsin (Bharatiya Janata Party – BJP)
- Nazir Ahmad Khan (Awami Ittehad Party – AIP)
- Deeba Khan (Aam Aadmi Party – AAP)
- Muntazir Mohiuddin (Independent Candidate)
More than 1.26 lakh registered voters are eligible to cast their votes in Budgam, and polling officials have reported a smooth and peaceful voting process so far.
This by-election is seen as a litmus test for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government and the National Conference, given Budgam’s historic significance in Kashmir politics.
The bypoll was necessitated after Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat upon winning from his family bastion Ganderbal in the 2024 Assembly elections.
The Budgam constituency has long been considered a stronghold of the National Conference, with its candidates winning the seat consistently since 1962, except in 1972, when a Congress candidate secured victory.
Prominent NC leader and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi had previously won the Budgam Assembly seat in 2002, 2008, and 2014, before Omar Abdullah’s win in 2024 reaffirmed the party’s dominance.
Nagrota Bypoll 2025: A Triangular Contest in Jammu Region
In the Nagrota constituency, located in the Jammu region, the bypoll is witnessing a three-way contest among major political players. National Conference’s Shamim Begum, a sitting District Development Council (DDC) member, is facing off against BJP’s Devyani Rana and J&K National Panthers Party (JKNPP) president Harsh Dev Singh.
The BJP has historically performed strongly in Nagrota, winning the Assembly seat three times — in 2002, 2008, and 2024. The National Conference has also held the seat twice, in 1996 and 2014, indicating a constituency with a history of alternating loyalties.
Veteran politician Harsh Dev Singh, a three-time MLA from Ramnagar, brings significant political experience to the race. He had previously won from Ramnagar in 1996, 2002, and 2008, but lost in 2014 and again in 2024 from Chenani.
In a significant development, the Congress candidate has withdrawn their nomination in favour of Shamim Begum, strengthening the NC’s prospects in Nagrota.
The Nagrota bypoll was necessitated after the demise of BJP legislator Devender Singh Rana, who passed away shortly after taking oath last year.
Officials reported peaceful polling across Budgam and Nagrota, with security forces ensuring order and accessibility. Early trends suggest steady voter turnout, particularly in rural areas, as citizens came forward to participate in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir’s Assembly representation.
The Budgam and Nagrota bypolls 2025 are shaping up to be decisive political battles for both the National Conference and the Bharatiya Janata Party. As voting continues throughout the day, all eyes remain on Budgam in Central Kashmir and Nagrota in Jammu, where the results will not only decide two Assembly seats but could also indicate the public mood ahead of future elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
