Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Monday announced that the ruling National Conference (NC) will contest the by-elections for the Nagrota and Budgam assembly constituencies on key public issues — foremost among them, the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
Choudhary expressed confidence that voters in both constituencies would ensure the victory of NC candidates to strengthen the leadership of party president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The NC has fielded District Development Council (DDC) member Shamim Begum from Nagrota and former minister Agha Syed Mehmood from Budgam. The bypolls for both seats are scheduled for November 11.
The Nagrota seat fell vacant following the death of BJP legislator Devender Singh Rana on October 31 last year, while the Budgam seat was vacated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retained Ganderbal — his family’s traditional stronghold — following his victory from both constituencies.
Speaking to reporters at the NC headquarters before accompanying Begum to file her nomination papers, Choudhary said, “We will fight these elections on issues that matter to the people. Restoration of statehood remains our top priority.”
Highlighting recent government decisions, he added, “We have revived the Darbar Move to provide relief to Jammu’s business community and others. The BJP had halted this tradition without considering its economic impact.”
The J&K government recently ordered the closure of Darbar Move offices in Srinagar, shortly after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced the restoration of the historic practice, first introduced by the Dogra rulers in 1872. As per the order, all offices will reopen in Jammu, the winter capital, on November 3. The practice had been discontinued by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration in 2021.
Choudhary described the restoration of the Darbar Move as a “landmark decision” that would benefit traders in areas like Raghunath Bazar and Afsara Road, while also reviving a cherished tradition that fosters unity among people.
Accusing the BJP of relying on divisive tactics, Choudhary said, “The BJP is likely to campaign on misleading narratives, attempting to divide people along religious and caste lines. But the people will vote for progress, not propaganda. The 28 BJP MLAs did nothing for their constituencies during the recent floods.”
“We will win both seats and put an end to the BJP’s arrogance,” he asserted.
Minister Javed Rana echoed the sentiment, saying, “The National Conference is a strong cadre-based party. We are confident that the people will support the Abdullah-led government in our mission to restore the lost glory of the erstwhile state.”
Later, Shamim Begum, accompanied by hundreds of supporters and the deputy chief minister, filed her nomination papers for the Nagrota bypoll before the returning officer.
