Jammu: National Conference (NC) MP from Srinagar Aga Ruhullah has been taking snapshots at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for a long time. Ruhullah has accused the Omar government of not doing enough for restoration of statehood, Article 35-A and Article 370, basically status of Jammu & Kashmir prior to August 2019. He has now declared that he will not participate in campaigning for party candidate in the Budgam Legislative Assembly seat by-poll to be held on November 11. This can potentially be a problem for the party as Ruhullah holds considerable following in the central Kashmir belt.
So far, the NC has chosen to ignore the Srinagar MP’s barbs against Omar, and at times against Dr Farooq Abdullah too. But Budgam by-poll has the potential to bring things to a head as it is a seat which was vacated by Omar as he had won from Ganderbal too. Since Omar had defeated his rival by over 18,000 votes in September 2024 polls, winning it a matter of political prestige for the party. However, with Ruhullah deciding to stay away from campaigning, it can be tricky for the NC to sail through.
Incidentally, Budgam is dominated by the Shia community and Ruhullah is from one of the influential families of spiritual leaders commanding wide following. Keeping the Shia community in mind, NC’s rivals like People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP have also fielded candidates from leading families of clerics living in Budgam.
In Shia Islam, “Agha” (or “Āqā”) is a Persian honorific title for men that signifies “master” or “lord” and is often used as a polite term much in the same manner as “Mister” is used in English. Historically, it has also been a title of high status, such as in the combined title “Agha Khan,” which was bestowed on the Ismaili Imam by the Qajar king of Iran, meaning “commanding chief, lord, or master”. In Kashmir, Agha (or Aga) is more used in this sense and the ordinary people believe them (Agas or Aghas) to be spiritual masters. It is turning out to be a battle of Agas in Budgam as a number of candidates are Agas.
The upcoming Budgam Assembly bypoll is shaping up to be a high-stakes, four-cornered political contest. The NC, the PDP, Jammu Kashmir Apni Party and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) have put up candidates here. Omar’s decision to leave Budgam in favour of Ganderbal has led to an intense battle that could reshape political alignments and influence in the Shia-majority district.
The ruling NC’s candidate is Aga Syed Mehmood, son of noted Shia scholar Syed Yousuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi, founder of the Anjuman-e-Sharie organization. The PDP, on the other hand, has fielded Aga Muntazir Mehdi, son of senior Shia cleric and Hurriyat leader Agha Syed Hassan, while the AIP has nominated Nazir Ahmad Khan. Muntazir Mohiuddin, who recently quit the Apni Party, is contesting as an Independent.
By all indications, the main contest will be between these four candidates and one of them is likely to emerge winner. Meanwhile, the BJP has named Agha Syed Mohsin, another son of a Shia cleric, making this bypoll unique as Budgam will witness multiple candidates from prominent Shia families. Another Aga is fighting as an Independent candidate.
Since the constituency is dominated by strong Shia presence, influence of various clerics and community loyalties can play a decisive role. NC’s influential MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, who commands deep roots and respect in the area, is seen as a crucial figure in determining the final outcome. Ruhullah’s silence and desisting from campaigning fro NC’s candidate can dent the party’s chances.
As campaigning gains momentum in the coming days, the Budgam by-poll is being viewed as an important test for political strength in central Kashmir. Voter turnout, clerical endorsements, and grassroots mobilization will determine who emerges victorious in one of the region’s most closely watched political contests.
CM Omar Abdullah has said the NC’s prospects are bright, reiterating the party’s unity behind its candidate. “Aga Sahab (the NC candidate) has already said he considers him like his son, and I expect Aga Ruhullah to support him,” Omar has said. Even after vacating the Budgam seat, his government continued developmental works in the area, Omar has said.
In the 2024 Assembly elections, Omar had defeated PDP’s Aga Muntazir Mehdi who is in the fray again, targeting Omar for abandoning the voters in this assembly segment. Omar’s personal appeal in Budgam and his party’s strong organisational base notwithstanding, with several influential Shia candidates now in the fray, this by-poll seems unpredictable right now. Definitely not a cake walk for the NC due to Ruhullah’s stance.
Ruhullah reacted sharply to remarks made by NC candidate Aga Syed Mehmood stated that the former would campaign for the party in the upcoming Budgam Assembly by-election. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ruhullah said his loyalty rests with his conscience and principles, not with narratives being imposed upon him. “My loyalty is to my conscience and principles,” Ruhullah wrote.
While expressing respect for his elders in the family, he urged them not to belittle his political struggle or misrepresent his stance. “While I hold respect for my elders in my family, I request them not to belittle my fight (our fight). If they can’t comprehend it and be part of it, at least don’t drag me and my struggle to this level,” Ruhullah stated.
A total of 19 candidates have filed nomination papers for the Budgam assembly constituency. Among them are Nazir Ahmad Khan, Muntazir Mohiuddin, Parvez Ahmad Mir, Deeba Khan, Muhammad Sameer Bhat, Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, Owais Ashraf Shah, Mukhtar Ahmad Dar, Manzoor Ahmad Ganie, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Muhammad Abas Dar, Shabir Ahmad Ganie, Muhammad Shafi Shah, Farooq Ahmad and Jibran Firdous Dar. An independent candidate Aditi Sharma, who hails from Jammu, has also filed her nomination papers.
The filing of nomination papers turned into a show of strength for all three major political parties. Aga Mehmood was accompanied by CM Omar and senior NC leaders. BJP’s Syed Mohsin was joined by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma while PDP candidate Aga Muntazir Mehdi arrived with senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Lone (Hanjura) and MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para. Mehbooba Mufti was conspicuous by her absence.
After submitting his papers, Aga Mehmood told reporters that the NC has played a pivotal role in shaping Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah’s political career. “It’s the NC that made him what he is today. His role in the party is important, and I believe he will definitely come forward in the campaign,” Mehmood said, adding that he has been in regular contact with Ruhullah.
