Srinagar, Nov 14 : The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured a historic breakthrough on Friday by winning the Budgam Assembly constituency for the first time, ending the National Conference’s (NC) decades-long dominance in the central Kashmir seat.
As per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi delivered the PDP its breakthrough moment, winning the bypoll by 4,496 votes, according to figures accessed by the news agency–Kashmir News Corner (KNC).
The constituency, long considered impenetrable for the PDP, had consistently favoured the NC, especially the influential Aga family across successive elections.
The bypoll, triggered after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated Budgam in favour of retaining Ganderbal, saw a muted NC campaign. Crucially, senior NC figure and MP Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi, widely regarded as the party’s strongest voice in the area, stayed away from canvassing.
Political analysts believe this absence fractured NC’s traditional voter base and opened space for the PDP to consolidate support.
Similarly, the win boosts the PDP’s legislative strength. From holding just three seats in the J&K Assembly, the party now moves to four MLAs, a gain that PDP leaders say will help them assert themselves more effectively in the House.—
