The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has officially declared Manzor Ahmed as its candidate for the upcoming Budgam Assembly by-election. Manzor Ahmed, who currently serves as the State Secretary of RLD’s Kashmir unit, will contest the seat vacated by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The by-election was triggered following the resignation of Omar Abdullah, who had won the Budgam seat in the 2024 Assembly elections on a Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) ticket. Abdullah had secured a decisive victory, garnering 36,010 votes (54.52%) and defeating Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi of the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP), who polled 17,525 votes (26.53%). Other notable candidates included Nisar Ahmad Pal of JKPDF(S) and independent Mehraj Ud Din Ganayee, who received 3,365 and 3,358 votes respectively.
In 2014, the seat was also held by JKNC, with Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi winning by securing 30,090 votes.
Addressing a press conference, RLD’s Jammu and Kashmir in-charge, Vinay Pradhan, said Omar Abdullah’s resignation has left the people of Budgam disillusioned with the ruling establishment. "There is growing anger among the public, and they are now seeking a real change. Our candidate Manzor Ahmed is a young, dynamic face committed to the upliftment of the people," he said.
Pradhan appealed to Budgam voters to support RLD’s fresh alternative, adding that the party’s top leadership is fully involved in the campaign. "Party President Dr. Johar and Vice President and Spokesperson Altaf Dhar will lead the election campaign and organizational efforts for the by-poll," he added.
The Budgam by-election is being closely watched as a test of public sentiment following Omar Abdullah’s exit and amid shifting political dynamics in the region.
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