The National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the BJP have all named members of the Shia clergy as candidates for the Assembly by-polls to Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The NC has named Agha Syed Mehmood because the occasion candidate for the Budgam Assembly election. The occasion extends greatest needs to him for a profitable marketing campaign,” a NC spokesman stated.

Mr. Mehmood is the son of Shia cleric Syed Yousuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi, who based the Anjuman-e-Sharie organisation.

The PDP has named Agha Syed Muntazir Mehdi. “He will file his nomination tomorrow at 12 p.m.,” a PDP spokesman stated.

Mr. Mehdi is the son of a Shia cleric, Agha Syed Hassan, additionally a Hurriyat chief. 

The BJP has already named Agha Syed Mohsin, son of a Shia cleric. “Mr. Mohsin might be accompanied by the Leader of Opposition and MLA Sunil Sharma and BJP State and district leaders on Monday (October 20),” a BJP spokesman stated.

This is the primary time that Budgam, which has a large Shia inhabitants, will see three candidates from the Shia clergy contesting the by-polls. The seat fell vacant after NC chief Omar Abdullah, who contested the 2024 Assembly elections from two constituencies, determined to retain the Ganderbal seat.  

Budgam will go to the polls on November 11.

Published – October 19, 2025 11:49 pm IST

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