Budgam electorate favours personal bonds over political banners

Budgam, Nov 11:: As voting took place in the Budgam Assembly constituency on Tuesday, many voters said that personal connections between candidates and the electorate would matter more than traditional party loyalties in deciding the outcome of the by-election.

At the polling booth set up at Higher Secondary School Bemina (Hamdania Colony), voters told Greater Kashmir that this election was being shaped less by party ideology and more by personal influence and accessibility of the candidates.

“This election is not about NC versus PDP or any other party. It’s about who has a stronger personal bond with the people,” said an elderly voter. “Voters today are not choosing parties, they are voting for the individual they feel closer to — it’s a relationship of Peer and Mureed.”

Many voters echoed the view that party vote banks have weakened and that personal reputation, community ties, and approachability of candidates will play a decisive role. “The candidate who is more accessible to people will secure the seat,” said another voter outside the Bemina polling station.

Some voters also linked the contest to religious and spiritual affiliations. “The spiritual guide with more disciples will win,” said an elderly voter, referring to the influence of clerical families in Budgam politics.

He added that had Aga Ruhullah Mehdi been in the fray, the outcome would have been “a foregone conclusion.” “Ruhullah Sahab has always been there for the people. You would have seen every household turning up to vote for him,” he said.

Meanwhile, both National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidates expressed confidence of victory.

NC candidate Aga Syed Mehmood said Budgam would “remain the party’s bastion.” “I have received a very positive response from the people, who are voting for development. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah himself campaigned here and made commitments to the people,” he said.

PDP candidate Aga Muntazir Mehdi, however, claimed the large voter turnout reflected resentment against the NC government. “People are voting against years of injustice. The earlier victory of NC was sentiment-driven — this time, the vote is a protest against unfulfilled promises,” he said.

He added that the Chief Minister’s recent visit to Budgam would not change voter sentiment. “People have decided not to be treated as second options. Trust cannot be rebuilt overnight,” he said.