Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 2: Although all major political parties have deployed their full strength in the Budgam byelection, the stakes are particularly high for the ruling National Conference (NC), which is fighting to retain one of its oldest strongholds in central Kashmir.
Budgam, often described as the citadel of the National Conference, has remained loyal to the party for decades. Except for the 1972 election, when Congress candidate Ali Mohammad Mir secured victory, the NC has consistently held the seat since 1977. In 2002, 2008, and 2014, senior NC leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi won the seat before moving to national politics. |
