33 nominations filed for bypolls in two Assembly segments in Jammu and Kashmir

33 candidates, including 13 independents and 4 women, have filed their nomination papers from Budgam and Nagrota assembly constituencies, which will go to bypolls in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) next month, election officials said.

Monday, October 20, 2025 was the deadline for submitting nomination papers from the two parliamentary segments that went to the polls on November 11. The examination of the documents is planned to be held on October 22, and the withdrawal of the nominations is planned to be held on October 24.

The counting of votes will be done on November 14.

The Budgam seat remained vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retained his family stronghold of Ganderbal after winning both assembly seats; In Nagrota, a bye election became necessary due to the death of BJP MP Devender Singh Rana on October 31 last year.

Officials said 20 candidates, including eight independents, filed their nominations from Budgam constituency in the National Conference, which includes former minister Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Mousvi, BJP Aga Syed Mohsin Mosvi and PDP Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi.

Independent Deeba Khan from Aam Aadmi Party, Aditi Sharma from Jammu and Mukhtar Ahmad Dar from Apni Party are among the other candidates, officials said, adding that the list also includes comprehensive candidates.

In the Nagrota constituency, the BJP has fielded Rana’s daughter Devyani Rana, who is facing a major challenge from National Conference candidate and District Development Council member Shamim Begum and BJP rebel and J&K Panchayat Conference president Anil Sharma, who is fighting as an independent.

Former minister Harsh Dev Singh of J&K National Panthers Party (India) is among the other prominent faces of the constituency. Besides AAP leader Joginder Singh, there are four other independents in the fray.