A Crowded Field for a Symbolic Battle
By: Javid Amin | 20 October 2025
The political landscape of Budgam, one of central Kashmir’s most politically sensitive constituencies, is witnessing a surge of activity ahead of the November 11, 2025 by-election.
A total of 19 candidates have filed their nominations by the October 20 deadline, signaling a high-stakes and potentially transformative electoral contest.
The bypoll, set against a backdrop of shifting alliances and growing voter assertion, has become a litmus test for public sentiment in post-Article 370 Jammu & Kashmir. The seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chose to retain his Ganderbal constituency following the 2024 Assembly elections — leaving Budgam open for a fierce multi-cornered contest.
Deeba Khan: AAP’s Voice of Resistance
Among the 19 contenders, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Deeba Khan has captured public imagination with her electrifying slogan —
“PSA ka badla vote se”
(“Avenge PSA with your vote”).
Her campaign reflects an emerging mood of civic defiance and political empowerment in the Valley, particularly among younger and first-time voters disillusioned by decades of unfulfilled promises.
Deeba Khan’s message resonates deeply with Kashmir’s civil rights narrative, especially in the wake of ongoing debates over the Public Safety Act (PSA) — a law long criticized for enabling detention without trial.
While AAP remains a relatively new entrant in J&K politics, Deeba’s campaign has given the party visibility across social media, local mohallas, and urban youth circles, where her promise of “governance over grandstanding” has found traction.
JKNC and PDP: Familiar Faces, Old Rivalries
The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the region’s two dominant regional forces, are also locked in a direct face-off in Budgam — reviving one of Kashmir’s oldest political rivalries.
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JKNC Candidate: Agha Syed Mehmood — A seasoned politician and former minister with cross-sectarian support among both Shia and Sunni communities. Budgam has historically been a National Conference stronghold since 1977, and Mehmood’s candidacy reflects the party’s attempt to consolidate its traditional base.
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PDP Candidate: Agha Syed Muntazir Mehdi — The young challenger who previously contested the 2024 elections from the same seat and lost to Omar Abdullah. His re-entry signifies PDP’s determination to reclaim relevance, especially in central Kashmir.
Political observers see the Agha versus Agha contest as more than a family rivalry — it’s a microcosm of J&K’s ideological divide between old-guard politics and a yearning for renewal.
BJP’s Strategic Entry: Expanding Beyond Jammu
In a move that signals BJP’s continued ambition to expand its footprint beyond the Jammu belt, the party has fielded Agha Syed Mohsin, a prominent Shia community leader.
Mohsin’s inclusion is being viewed as an attempt to make inroads into Shia-majority pockets of central Kashmir — a region historically resistant to saffron politics.
Although BJP faces structural challenges in the Valley, the party’s organizational reach and narrative control post-2019 have allowed it to maintain visibility even where electoral prospects remain slim.
Smaller Parties and Independents: Fragmenting the Vote
With 19 candidates in the fray, Budgam is shaping into one of the most multi-polar bypolls in the Union Territory’s history.
Smaller regional outfits and independent aspirants are expected to play a spoiler role, cutting into traditional vote banks and making prediction nearly impossible.
Sources within the Election Office Budgam confirm that several independent candidates represent youth collectives, civil society activists, and local traders’ associations, signaling a broader desire for non-partisan governance.
Timeline & Electoral Process
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Nomination Filing Deadline: October 20, 2025
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Scrutiny of Nominations: October 22, 2025
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Last Date for Withdrawal: October 24, 2025
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Polling Date: November 11, 2025
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Counting & Results: November 14, 2025
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed enhanced polling arrangements and security protocols, with additional central paramilitary deployment to ensure peaceful voting.
Political Context: A Test of Mandate & Momentum
The Budgam bypoll is being closely watched as the first major electoral contest after the formation of the new government in 2024.
For Omar Abdullah’s administration, it’s a chance to validate the National Conference’s popular mandate, while for PDP and AAP, it’s an opportunity to reclaim political ground in a changing Kashmir.
Political analysts note that this election carries symbolic weight beyond numbers — reflecting how voters perceive Delhi-Srinagar relations, autonomy debates, and local governance priorities in a Union Territory still seeking full statehood.
Public Pulse: Between Disillusionment and Determination
In Budgam’s bustling bazaars and quiet villages, conversations about politics are tinged with realism and resolve.
From farmers in Beerwah to shopkeepers in Ompora, people express fatigue with “promises that never translate into power”, yet also an eagerness to reassert their democratic voice after years of uncertainty.
For many young voters, Deeba Khan’s slogan captures that sentiment — a call to transform resentment into reform through the ballot.
“We have seen leaders come and go, but if someone talks about accountability, we should give them a chance,”
says Fayaz Ahmad, a 29-year-old teacher in Budgam town.
Campaign Themes: From PSA to Power-sharing
Across party lines, the campaign narrative in Budgam reflects a blend of legacy issues and new political vocabulary:
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PSA and Civil Liberties: AAP and several independents are using the debate around the Public Safety Act to call for greater human rights safeguards.
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Development & Governance: JKNC emphasizes continuity and stability, while PDP argues for grassroots empowerment and youth employment.
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Representation & Identity: BJP highlights integration and investment, whereas smaller parties frame their campaigns around local representation and inclusivity.
Why This Bypoll Matters
This by-election is more than a mid-term contest — it’s a barometer of political mood in the Valley’s heartland.
A win for the National Conference would reaffirm Omar Abdullah’s leadership and stabilize his government’s grip.
A strong showing by PDP or AAP could reshape regional equations, potentially opening doors for new coalitions or opposition alignments in the coming years.
The Budgam seat, strategically positioned near Srinagar, holds symbolic weight in Kashmir’s political geography — often seen as a bridge between urban politics and rural sentiment.
Looking Ahead: The Power of the Ballot
As Budgam prepares for polling day, the mood is both tense and hopeful.
After years of political limbo, the bypoll offers a chance for the people to redefine representation and demand accountability through peaceful democratic means.
Whether “PSA ka badla vote se” becomes just a slogan or a turning point in Kashmir’s democratic journey remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain — Budgam 2025 is not just another election; it’s a statement of intent from a region learning to rebuild faith in the ballot box.
