STATE TIMES NEWS
BUDHAL: Known as the heartland of Gujjars, the Budhal assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district is witnessing a direct fight between BJP’s Choudhary Zulfikar Ali and his nephew and NC candidate Javaid Iqbad Choudhary.
Ali is a former two-time MLA and ex-minister, while Choudhary has served as Block Development Council (BDC) member and chairman.
The Budhal seat, reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community, is one of the 26 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir set to go to the polls in the second phase on September 25.
“Although it is a four-cornered contest involving the BJP, NC, PDP, and BSP candidates, it is essentially a direct fight between Choudhary Zulfikar Ali of the BJP and his nephew Javed Iqbal Choudhary of the NC. It is a tough contest,” political expert Vikas Kumar said.
Ali, a veteran Gujjar politician, has contested elections from the region three times, winning twice in 2008 and 2014 from the erstwhile Darhal seat, and has served as a minister in the BJP-PDP coalition government. He joined the BJP in August this year.
“I have always worked for the people, and my experience speaks for itself. I am confident I will win, and the BJP will form the government,” Ali said, praising the saffron party for securing long-sought ST reservation for Gujjars and Bakerwals.
Choudhary is determined to challenge his uncle.