Jammu, Oct. 20 -- Jammu and Kashmir's ruling National Conference (NC) has announced that it will contest the upcoming by-elections in Nagrota and Budgam on issues affecting residents, with the reinstatement of statehood for the Union Territory highlighted as a key concern.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary expressed confidence that voters in both constituencies would support NC nominees, reinforcing the position of party president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

For the bypolls scheduled on November 11, the NC has nominated District Development Council member Shamim Begum for Nagrota and former minister Agha Syed Mehmood for Budgam. The Nagrota seat became vacant following the death of BJP legislator Devender Si...