Campaigning for the Budgam and Nagrota bypolls concluded on Sunday, with both constituencies set to go to the polls on November 11. The contest, particularly in Nagrota, is expected to be closely fought, with no clear frontrunner emerging so far.

In Budgam, the National Conference (NC) has fielded Aga Syed Mahmood, a member of the Shia community. The BJP and the PDP have also nominated Shia candidates — Aga Syed Mohsin and Aga Syed Muntazir, respectively — making the contest a triangular one within the same sectarian community.

Budgam has long been considered a stronghold of the NC. Party vice-president Omar Abdullah had won from this constituency in last year’s Assembly elections, in addition to securing victory from Ganderbal. His decision to retain the Ganderbal seat necessitated the

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