Budgam, Oct 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that the National Conference (NC) candidate for the Budgam by-election, Aga Syed Mehmood, is expecting full support from Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi.
Speaking to reporters after Aga Mehmood filed his nomination papers, the Chief Minister, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said there was nothing more to add on Ruhullah’s support. “Aga Mehmood has already stated that Aga Ruhullah is like his son. He expects his support for the upcoming assembly by-election. What else can I say about it,” Omar said.
He added that the NC leadership took the decision to nominate Aga Mehmood after detailed consultations, believing him to be the right choice for the Budgam seat.
“There was no delay in announcing our candidate. Almost all other parties filed their nominations today as well. Like them, we too acted strategically,” the Chief Minister said.
Replying to a query, the Chief Minister said that he has never betrayed the people of Budgam, recalling that he had to contest from two seats earlier, even against his preference. He said that despite leaving one seat, the development of Budgam never took a backseat.
“I along with my team worked extensively in Budgam,” he said, adding that he, along with his Ministers and NC candidate Aga Mehmood, will visit local areas to highlight the government’s achievements in the constituency over the past year as the campaigning begins.
Omar also clarified that the Congress was offered the Nagrota seat, even though the NC had won there in 2014 and had fielded its own candidate in the previous assembly election. “Since the Congress decided not to contest from Nagrota, our party fielded Shameema Begum, who also filed her nomination papers today,” he said.
Reiterating the NC’s confidence in Aga Mehmood, Omar said the entire organization stands firmly behind him. “From today, we will take our message and our candidate’s appeal to the people of Budgam. We hope that when the results are declared, Aga Syed Mehmood will represent the people of Budgam in the Legislative Assembly with an overwhelming majority,” Omar added. (KNO)
