Panchayat polls likely to get priority
By-polls may align with DDC polls
Arteev Sharma
Jammu: The by-elections for the Nagrota and Budgam assembly constituencies are likely to be delayed until the end of the year following the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) notification for a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in both segments on Thursday.
The by-polls were scheduled to be completed by April 20. The Budgam seat fell vacant after former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chose to retain Ganderbal as he had won both constituencies in the assembly elections held in September-October last year. The by-election in Nagrota was necessitated following the demise of senior BJP leader and former MLA Devender Singh Rana on October 31, 2024.
If sources are to be believed, the upcoming elections for over 4,200 Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir may be announced next month or in early May, further stretching the timeline for the assembly by-polls in Nagrota and Budgam.
“The chances of conducting the by-elections for Nagrota and Budgam along with the Panchayat polls are bleak,” a source said, adding “It is expected that these by-elections will either coincide with the Bihar elections in October-November or the District Development Council (DDC) polls in Jammu and Kashmir, expected by the end of the year”.
The BJP is striving to retain the seat and is strongly considering fielding Devyani Rana, daughter of the late Devender Singh Rana, as their candidate. Devyani has been actively engaging with the constituency’s residents, attending social and religious events to strengthen her presence. Party insiders believe her candidacy would symbolize the continuation of her father’s political legacy, potentially tapping into an emotional undercurrent that could boost BJP’s prospects.
However, the BJP faces internal resistance from Anil Sharma, President of the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), who has declared his intention to contest the by-election as a party rebel. Sharma’s campaign focused on opposing what he described as “SRO-43 politics,” criticizing parties for favoring family members of political leaders over dedicated grassroots workers.
Adding further spice to the contest in Nagrota, three-time MLA and former minister Harsh Dev Singh of the J&K Panthers Party (India) has shifted focus from his previous Chenani constituency to contest in Nagrota. Singh, who faced a significant defeat in the last Assembly elections, is determined to regain political ground through aggressive campaigning, including road-shows and public interactions.
Meanwhile, the National Conference (NC) has yet to finalize its candidate. Speculations suggest they may once again field Joginder Singh alias Kaku, who previously contested against Devender Singh Rana in 2024 but lost by the widest margin across all 90 J&K Assembly seats. Kaku has been actively holding public meetings in anticipation of his party’s decision.
The Congress Party is also in the fray, reportedly considering former MLA Balwan Singh as their potential candidate, aiming to regain political relevance in the constituency.
Additionally, BJP leader Nand Kishore Sharma, brother of BJP’s Jammu-Reasi MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, is said to be lobbying for the party’s mandate after his recent appointment as District President of BJP’s Organizational District Jammu North.
Meanwhile, the ECI has notified the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls with reference to April 1, 2025, as the qualifying date for the Nagrota and Budgam Assembly Constituencies (ACs).
As per the ECI schedule, the rationalization of polling stations will take place on April 4, followed by the publication of the integrated draft electoral roll on April 8. The period for filing claims and objections will be from April 8 to April 24, with their disposal scheduled for May 2. The final electoral roll will be published on May 5, 2025.
The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of the concerned Assembly Constituencies has been tasked with ensuring that no eligible voter is excluded and no ineligible individual is included in the electoral rolls.
The CEO, DEO, and ERO will work collectively to ensure that all eligible citizens are enrolled under the provisions of Article 326 of the Constitution of India and Sections 16 and 19 of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1950.
