High-Stakes Family Feud: Rajouri's Heated Political Battle

In Rajouri's Budhal seat of Jammu and Kashmir, BJP's Choudhary Zulfikar Ali faces his nephew, NC's Javaid Iqbad Choudhary, in a high-stakes election. The constituency, reserved for the Scheduled Tribes community, will vote on September 25. Key local issues include infrastructure, healthcare, education, and tourism.

In Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, a high-stakes political battle unfolds as BJP's Choudhary Zulfikar Ali faces off against his nephew, Javaid Iqbad Choudhary of the NC. With a history of serving as a two-time MLA and ex-minister, Ali is a seasoned veteran. In contrast, Javaid Iqbad Choudhary has served as a Block Development Council member and chairman.

The Budhal seat, reserved for the Scheduled Tribes community, is one of 26 constituencies going to the polls on September 25. Political expert Vikas Kumar notes, "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 Javaid Iqbad Choudhary of the NC."

Ali, who joined the BJP in August, expressed his confidence in winning and highlighted his past contributions, particularly the long-sought ST reservation for Gujjars and Bakerwals. Meanwhile, Javaid Iqbad Choudhary criticizes his uncle's tenure, focusing on a lack of development. Key issues for voters include roads, healthcare, education, and tourism, with infrastructure and the demand to connect Budhal with Shopian being top priorities. The seat has 95,072 eligible voters and 136 polling stations, bearing witness to a critical contest in the region's political landscape.