Budgam Gears Up for Bypoll as Iltija Mufti Launches Campaign; CM Omar Abdullah Attends 'Darbar' in Jammu

Budgam, Kashmir – As the political temperature rises in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti has launched a vigorous campaign in the Budgam assembly constituency ahead of the November 11 bypoll. Simultaneously, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah marked the reopening of government offices in Jammu as part of the bi-annual 'Darbar Move,' a tradition reinstated by his government after a four-year hiatus.

Iltija Mufti, along with Aga Syed Muntazir, has been actively engaging with the people of Budgam, criticizing the National Conference (NC) for its alleged neglect of the constituency. Mufti has questioned the NC's development record in Budgam, particularly highlighting issues related to water scarcity and infrastructure. She asserted that despite being represented by the Chief Minister, Budgam has been overlooked in favor of Ganderbal, Abdullah's other constituency. Mufti expressed confidence that the people of Budgam would support the PDP, emphasizing Aga Syed Muntazir's deep understanding of the local issues and his commitment to addressing them.

Mufti has also accused the NC of resorting to intimidation tactics, alleging that ministers are threatening voters. She has challenged the NC to present its development achievements in Budgam, questioning the lack of colleges, water schemes, and sports facilities in the area. Mufti has also dismissed NC's criticism of PDP's past alliance with BJP, stating that NC is in power now and should be held accountable for its promises. She further added that NC is nervous about losing the Budgam seat, which is why they are deploying all its ministers and MLA's to campaign in Budgam.

Meanwhile, in Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah received a warm welcome as the 'Darbar Move' was reinstated, marking the shift of government offices to the winter capital for six months. Throngs of people greeted the Chief Minister as he walked from his official residence to the Civil Secretariat, with many expressing their support for the decision to revive the tradition. The 'Darbar Move,' a practice initiated by the Dogra rulers, was suspended in 2021, but has been brought back by the current government.

Abdullah defended the restoration of the 'Darbar Move,' emphasizing its importance in fostering unity between Jammu and Kashmir and generating economic opportunities for the people of Jammu. He said that his government aimed to mend the rift between the regions. He also addressed concerns about the financial implications of the 'Darbar Move,' assuring that resources would be managed effectively while curbing unnecessary expenditure.

The return of the 'Darbar Move' has been largely viewed as a significant achievement of the Omar Abdullah government, particularly in Jammu, where the National Conference traditionally has limited support. Some political observers see it as a strategic move to fulfill election promises and reclaim what Jammu and Kashmir lost with the abrogation of Article 370.

As the campaigns intensify in Budgam and government offices reopen in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a flurry of political activity. The outcome of the Budgam bypoll and the impact of the reinstated 'Darbar Move' remain to be seen, but these developments undoubtedly set the stage for significant political shifts in the region.