SRINAGAR — The ruling National Conference (NC) on Sunday announced senior party leader Agha Syed Mehmood as its candidate for the bypoll to the Budgam Assembly segment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The bypoll is scheduled for November 11.
The BJP has fielded Agha Syed Mohsin, while the PDP has nominated Agha Muntazir Mehdi for the seat, which has traditionally been dominated by Shia leaders.
Mehmood, the NC candidate, is a prominent Shia leader from Budgam.
“On the directions of the party leadership, JKNC has announced Agha Syed Mehmood as the party’s candidate for the upcoming Budgam Assembly election. The party extends best wishes to him for a successful campaign in service of the people of Budgam,” the NC said in a post on X.
The PDP said on Sunday that its candidate, Mehdi, will file his nomination papers on Monday. “PDP’s Agha Syed Muntazir Mehdi sb will file his nomination papers for the Budgam Assembly by-election tomorrow at 12 PM,” the party posted on X.
The other two candidates are also expected to file their nominations on Monday.
The Budgam seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah resigned from it, choosing to retain Ganderbal following his victory from both constituencies.
The Nagrota Assembly segment will also go to polls on November 11. The seat became vacant following the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana after the elections last year. — (PTI)