As political activity intensifies in Jammu and Kashmir, the upcoming Budgam bypoll is emerging as a crucial test of public sentiment towards the Omar Abdullah-led government. Voting is scheduled for next month, following the vacancy created after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah resigned from the seat, choosing to retain Ganderbal—the other constituency he contested in last year’s assembly elections.

The by-election is being widely seen as a referendum on the performance of the ruling National Conference (NC), which has come under sharp criticism from opposition parties over what they describe as a year of underperformance and broken promises.

Political parties across the Valley have already begun preparing for the contest. On Saturday, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by jailed Baramulla

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