Central Kashmir’s Budgam is gearing up for one of the most intriguing political showdowns in years — a rare “Aga vs Aga vs Aga” contest that has turned the November 11 by-poll into a test of legacy, loyalty, and leadership.
Candidates from the National Conference (NC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and multiple independents filed their nomination papers on Monday, transforming the District Election Office into a scene of intense political theatre.
The NC’s Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Mousavi, BJP’s Aga Syed Mohsin Mosvi, and PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi now stand at the center of this high-voltage contest — a symbolic reflection of the Aga family’s deep-rooted political influence in Budgam.
The Election Commission’s schedule sets vote counting on November 14, with nominations finalized and scrutiny already underway. Nineteen candidates have entered the race, though all eyes remain fixed on the three Agas — each carrying his own legacy, following, and ambition.
As Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and top NC leaders rallied behind Mehmood, PDP’s Mehdi accused both NC and BJP of “failing the people of J&K.” Meanwhile, BJP’s Mohsin received a strong backing from senior leaders including Sunil Sharma, signaling the saffron party’s growing confidence in central Kashmir.
But the contest took a personal turn when NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi distanced himself from Mehmood’s statements, emphasizing his loyalty “to conscience and principles,” rather than imposed political narratives. His remarks have added emotional depth to an already layered family rivalry.
For many in Budgam, this by-election is not merely about politics — it’s about identity, belonging, and belief. With 1.26 lakh voters ready to decide the future of this crucial constituency, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As election day approaches, Budgam stands as a microcosm of Kashmir’s shifting political tides — a place where bloodlines, ideology, and hope all converge at the ballot box.
And yet, behind the slogans and strategy lies something profoundly human — a community yearning for trust, for progress, and for leaders who listen. Because at the heart of every vote lies not power, but the people.
