33 Candidates, Including 13 Independents, File Nominations for Budgam and Nagrota Bypolls in J&K
Jammu: A total of 33 candidates — including 13 independents and four women — have filed their nomination papers for the upcoming by-elections in Budgam and Nagrota assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir, election officials said on Monday.
Monday marked the final day for filing nominations for the two segments, which will go to polls on November 11. The scrutiny of papers is scheduled for October 22, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 24. Counting of votes will be held on November 14.
The Budgam seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retained Ganderbal, his family’s traditional stronghold, following victories in both constituencies. The Nagrota seat fell vacant due to the demise of BJP legislator Devender Singh Rana on October 31 last year.
According to officials, 20 candidates, including eight independents, have filed nominations from Budgam. The National Conference has fielded former minister Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Mousvi, while the BJP has nominated Aga Syed Mohsin Mosvi, and the PDP has fielded Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi.
Other candidates from Budgam include Deeba Khan of the Aam Aadmi Party, Aditi Sharma, an independent from Jammu, and Mukhtar Ahmad Dar of the Apni Party, along with several covering candidates.
In Nagrota, the BJP has fielded Devyani Rana, daughter of late Devender Singh Rana. She faces tough competition from National Conference’s Shamim Begum, a District Development Council member, and BJP rebel Anil Sharma, president of the J&K Panchayat Conference, who is contesting as an independent.
Former minister Harsh Dev Singh of the J&K National Panthers Party (India) and AAP leader Joginder Singh are also in the fray, along with four other independent candidates.
