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| Mehdi Vs Mehdi Vs Mehdi -The Curious Case of Budgam’s Ballot | | | Omkar Dattatray
The schedule for the two bi poll seats of the Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly for Nagrota and Budgam constituencies has been declared/announced by the election commission. The prestigious seat of Nagrota Constituency has become vacant due to the unfortunate passing away of the BJP MLA Davendra Singh Rana and the second seat of Budgam constituency has been rendered vacant due to the resignation of the MLA ship by the chief minister Omar Abdullah who had contested the assembly polls from two constituencies of Ganderbal and Budgam in Kashmir in the 2024 assembly elections, Omar Abdulla had won from both the constituencies and he opted to vacate his seat from Budgam and retained his home constituency of Ganderbal which is his traditional seat and fortress. Thus, bi polls to these two vacated seats had to be conducted and accordingly the election commission has announced the dates for these bi polls in Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The nomination process for these two seats has begun and to the great surprise in Budgam constituency which is the stronghold of Shai community all the three candidates of NC, PDP as well as BJP are from the dominant Shia community and the three candidates for the bi poll from Budgam who have filed their nomination papers for the polls are Shai candidates and the surnames of all the three candidates of NC, PDP and BJP have the surname of Mehdi and so one is justified to state that there is the contest between Mehdi Vs Mehdi Vs Mehdi and it has to be seen who Mehdi will win the bi polls from Budgam constituency. The upcoming poll contest can also be said to be between Agha Vs Agha Vs Agha though there are some other contestants of inconsequential nature who are more or less nonettis and cannot, impact the outcome of the bi polls of the Budgam constituency which is the stronghold of dominant Shia community and definitely one among the three Agha or we can call Medhi candidates will make win in these elections and it seems the foregone conclusion and the final outcome of the bi polls in Budgam. However it is most unpredictable and uncertain who among the three Mahdi or Agha candidates will be victorious at the end of the polling. The upcoming Budgam assembly by -election features a contest between three prominent members of the influential Shia community, with each representing a major political party and sharing a similar surname ‘’Mehdi’’ or ‘’Mehmood ‘. Aga Vs Aga Vs Aga situation refers to a political contest involving different Aga family members in the same region. It also points to the fact of political tussle or rivalry within the influential Aga family in Budgam. The headline ‘’Mehdi Vs Mehdi Vs Mehdi is a play on the competing political figures in the Budgam by -elections, namely different members of the prominent Aga Syed family, including Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Aga Syed Mehmood and Aga Muntazir Mehdi are the three most consequential candidates and it is the one candidate among these three candidates who will come victories at the end of the elections. The by -election is reportedly the NCs first major political test since its returning to power with all eyes set on the result. Juxtaposition of the above mentioned three Shia candidates may be the reason of the title of this write up. In the Budgam by -election scheduled for November 11,2025, the three major candidates are from the Shia Aga family. Aga Syed Mehmood from the National Conference, Aga Syed Muntazir from PDP and BJPs Aga Syed Mohsin. The by poll for the Budgam assembly constituency in central Kashmir district of Budgam has become a no-holds barred and intensely personal political fight, with three heavyweight members of the politically powerful Shia community battling it out against each other. The contest for the seat, vacated by chief minister Omar Abdullah after he choose to retain Ganderbal following the 2024 assembly polls, in between NCs Aga Syed Mehmood, PDPs Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi and BJPs Aga Syed Mohsin. Mr Mehmood, a former minister, dismissed criticism of NC government’s first year in power. Demanding results of five year in 12 months is unfair given the complexities of a dual power system in the UT. Mehdi Vs Mehdi Vs Mehdi or Aga Vs Aga Vs Aga is the true and apt as well as appropriate position of the by polls in prestigious Budgam assembly and is the correct description of the main poll fight between the three Shai candidates in which at the end of the day any one of these very candidates/contestants will in all probability will the high profile and crucial elections from Budgam constituency. Aga vs Aga vs Aga or Mehdi vs Mehdi vs Mehdi a play on words related to a crucial by-election in the Budgam constituency of Jammu and Kashmir. It describes a three- way political battle between prominent Shia religious and political leaders, all named some variation of Mehdi or Mahdi. Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Mousavi is veteran Shia leader was fielded by the National Conference NC. Aga Syed Mohsin Mosvi is fielded as a candidate by the BJP and Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi is fielded as a candidate by the PDP. Aga vs Aga vs Aga and Mehdi vs Mehdi vs Mehdi is the reflection of the significant influence of the Aga family, prominent Shia clerics in central Kashmir, on the politics of the region. The by-election was seen as a major political event for several reasons. ---A-Political dynasty -The fact that three candidates from politically connect Shia families were competing intensified the electoral battle and local interest. B----Intra -party tension— The contest was made even more complex by the public dissent of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi against his own party the NC, over policy issues and the nomination process. While not one of the by-election candidates, his critique of the NC from within the party added another larger layer of intrigue and division among Shia voters. C—Religious and political loyalty---For voters, the election was not just a political choice but a decision influenced by a long-standing - loyalties to different Aga families and their respective political parties. D---High stakes—The by-poll was considered ‘’high stakes’’ for the parties involved, with the outcome expected to influence the political landscape in central Kashmir. In fact, central Kashmir is bracing for a fierce political showdown as candidates from the ruling NC, opposition BJP, PDP and several independents filed their nomination papers at the office of the District Election Officer -DC Budgam on Monday 20th October 2025.The November 11 Budgam by-poll has become a focal point for enduring political loyalties and rising local aspirations, intensifying the scrutiny on all main contenders. The time which is a great healer will tell which candidate of the Mehdi family or Aga family will win this by-election.
The author is a columnist, social, KP activist & Freelancer |
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