Owais Gul
Budgam, Nov 11: A unique display of democracy was witnessed on Tuesday during the polling day in Budgam, where spiritual affiliations appeared to dominate the scene and influence voters’ choices in this crucial contest between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling National Conference (NC).
Outside the polling station at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in the main town of Budgam, some youth were seen discussing the mood of voters during the bye-election today.
The young voters said that the voter turnout seemed lower today compared to previous elections, but for them, casting their ballot was always mandatory to ensure their candidate’s victory.
“We have spiritual affiliations with the candidate, and thus it becomes mandatory for us to vote for him in any way,” Adil Hussain, a voter said.
He added that they have never wasted their vote but always stood in the queue to cast their ballots. “This time too, we have turned up at the polling booth to make our candidate win,” he said.
Imran Ahmad, another voter, echoed similar views and said that spiritual affiliations would never allow them to stay away from the polls. “Since our leader and Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi is not in the race this time, the direct contest in Budgam is between NC’s Aga Mehmood and PDP’s Aga Muntazir. Both are spiritual leaders and have a massive following. Thus, the majority of voters with spiritual affiliations to both of them have been turning out at the polling stations just to ensure their leaders’ victory,” he explained.
Ahmad further said that in the main two areas of Budgam, the contest is not really between NC and PDP, but between the spiritual leaders. “We are not casting our ballots for any party but voting in favour of our leaders,” Ahmad added.
However, a group of youth, joining Imran and Adil, expressed hope that this vote would change the scenario of the Budgam constituency. “We have been pinning hopes on multiple issues related to development. Therefore, it is expected that our votes will change our destiny,” he said.
Pertinently, the bye-election for the Budgam Assembly Constituency was held today, with 17 candidates in the electoral fray. The seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had won from two seats in the 2024 assembly elections, retained the Ganderbal seat.
Omar Abdullah had secured 35,804 votes, against 17,445 votes for PDP candidate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, out of a total of 1.25 lakh votes.
