Archive · 15 Nov 2025
National Conference Suffers By-Poll Losses Amidst Internal Strife
A political party, the National Conference (NC), lost an important local election in Budgam to its rival, the PDP.
The head of the NC, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also said his party lost another election in Nagrota to the BJP.
Abdullah seemed to blame a fellow party member, MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, for the loss in Budgam.
Mehdi had been critical of the party's direction and did not campaign, leading Abdullah to say Mehdi hurt his own career.
Mehdi responded by suggesting the party leadership was arrogant.
The election results also changed the number of representatives each party has in the local government.
The PDP celebrated their win, thanking the voters.
Abdullah plans to hold a party meeting to discuss the losses.
The National Conference (NC) lost the Budgam by-election to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The BJP retained the Nagrota seat, while the NC candidate came in third.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah blamed internal party issues and voters' loyalty to specific individuals for the Budgam loss.
A public disagreement emerged between Omar Abdullah and NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, with Abdullah criticizing Mehdi's lack of campaign involvement.
The election results led to shifts in the number of MLAs for the NC, PDP, and BJP in the Assembly.
- Who
- National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, PDP candidate Aga Syed Muntazar Mehdi, NC candidate Aga Syed Mehmood.
- What
- The National Conference lost the Budgam by-election to the PDP and the BJP retained the Nagrota seat, leading to public criticism and internal conflict within the NC, particularly between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi.
- When
- Friday
- Where
- Budgam and Nagrota constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- The NC's loss in Budgam is attributed to alleged failure to deliver on promises, perceived unwillingness to stand against the Centre, and internal dissent, including a public rift between Omar Abdullah and Aga Ruhullah Mehdi.
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi (NC MP)
Omar Abdullah (Chief Minister/NC Leader)
Reason for Party's Budgam Loss and Internal Conflict
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi (NC MP)
Criticizes the NC for mellowing its stand on key issues like Article 370 and suggests that arrogance leads to disaster, advocating for consciousness, humility, and introspection. He seemingly distanced himself from the campaign due to dissatisfaction with governance.
Omar Abdullah (Chief Minister/NC Leader)
Attributes the Budgam loss to voters in Budgam who vote based on lineage to specific individuals, apparently referring to Ruhullah's supporters. He states that Ruhullah 'politically committed suicide' by not campaigning, comparing it to cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.
- Budgam Bypoll Winner
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
- Nagrota Bypoll Winner
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Budgam Bypoll Loser
- National Conference (NC)
- NC's Position in Assembly
- Reduced to 41 seats
- PDP's Position in Assembly
- Increased to 4 seats
- BJP's Position in Assembly
- Increased to 29 seats
- Budgam Bypoll Margin
- 4,478 votes
- Nagrota Bypoll Margin
- 24,647 votes
Sources
Mehbooba lauds Budgam voters, takes swipe at ruling NC in J-K
Causes of NC’s Budgam defeat will be analysed: Omar Abdullah
PDP Shatters NC’s Budgam Stronghold in Historic Bypoll Upset
Budgam Breaks JKNC’s Spine—PDP Wins, Ruhulla’s Silence Echoes
Nagrota Bypoll Result: Devyani Rana's win takes Assembly's woman power to new high as J&K now has 4 women MLAs
PDP makes political comeback with Budgam win
"Political Suicide": Omar Abdullah Blames Party MP After Budgam Bypoll Loss
Omar Abdullah Accepts Bypoll Defeats: Blames Silent Votes, Vows Introspection
