Budgam has historically been a National Conference stronghold, and the candidacy of Omar Abdullah in this constituency draws particular attention as he aims to maintain the NC’s influence. The main political players in Budgam are the NC and PDP. In the 2014 Assembly elections, NC’s Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi won the seat with a margin of 2,787 votes, securing 30,090 votes (43.76 per cent) against PDP’s Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat, who received 27,303 votes (39.71 per cent). In the 2008 Assembly elections, Aga Syed Ruhullah also claimed victory, obtaining 19,652 votes (40.15 per cent). 

 

In the 2024 contest, PDP’s Mohammad Kamal Malik garnered 9,692 votes (19.80 per cent) but finished as the runner-up, with Aga Syed Ruhullah defeating him by 9,960 votes. With eight candidates contesting the Budgam seat this time, the main battle is expected to be between NC Vice President Omar Abdullah and PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir, son of Hurriyat leader Aga Syed Hassan. Interestingly, Omar Abdullah has the backing of Aga Muntazir’s cousin, NC MP Aga Ruhullah. The NC has controlled the Budgam Assembly constituency since 1977, never losing a candidate. However, the political dynamics are shifting, with Aga Hassan’s son challenging the NC’s dominance on a PDP ticket.