SRINAGAR: Budgam assembly constituency in central Kashmir, which CM Omar Abdullah vacated while retaining his Ganderbal seat in last year’s election, has now become a key battleground for political parties, particularly National Conference, with the opposition calling it the first real test of the govt’s popularity.A year after Omar’s decisive victory, the seat is set to go to by-polls on Nov 11. NC has nominated Aga Mehmood as its candidate. However, its Srinagar MP, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, has said he would not campaign for the party. “My loyalty is to my conscience and principles,” Mehdi said. Mehmood had sought Mehdi’s support after his nomination.The Budgam constituency was traditionally represented by Mehdi. But, after he was elected to Parliament in 2024, it was considered a safe seat for Omar. Mehdi was among NC’s star campaigners here in the 2024 assembly polls.Mehmood said while Mehdi held considerable influence in the constituency, it was entirely because of NC. He said Mehdi’s rise, from being elected thrice as an MLA from Budgam to becoming an MP from Srinagar constituency, was possible only because the party gave him the mandate to contest.Mehdi is unhappy with NC’s stance on Article 370, accusing the party of abandoning its principled position on its restoration. He is also critical of the party over its approach to reservations in govt jobs and admissions to professional institutions.PDP has fielded Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, while BJP has nominated Aga Syed Mohsin Mosvi. Deeba Khan is contesting on an AAP ticket, while Muntazir Mohiuddin is an independent candidate.“This by-election is significant for several reasons. It comes a year after Omar’s many U-turns,” PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said. He said the by-election would serve as the first real test of the Omar govt’s popularity, as many promises made in the party’s manifesto remained unfulfilled.BJP general secretary for J&K, Ashok Koul, said the CM had not fulfilled any people-centric promise, including providing jobs and ration. “We will fight on these issues,” he added.Both PDP and BJP pointed out that Omar had vacated the Budgam seat despite assuring the people before the election that he would not do so, and added that the voters would keep that in mind.