Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Omar Abdullah Blames PDP for Special Status Loss, Campaigns in Budgam Bypoll
A special election is happening in Budgam, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is asking people to vote for his party's candidate.
He's telling everyone that another party, the PDP, was not honest.
He says they pretended to be against the BJP, but then they joined them after the last big election.
Abdullah believes this partnership hurt Jammu and Kashmir badly and caused the loss of its special status, even before 2019.
He wants the PDP to say sorry for this.
He also explains that voting in this by-election won't change who is the chief minister, but it can help bring more development to Budgam.
He compares it to getting two leaders for the price of one.
Abdullah also mentioned that his own party, the National Conference, is the only one truly standing against the BJP.
Omar Abdullah blames the PDP's 2015 alliance with the BJP for the loss of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, asserting the damage began before 2019.
Abdullah accuses the PDP of dishonesty and betrayal for joining hands with the BJP after campaigning against them in the 2014 elections.
The Chief Minister urged the PDP to apologize for their past actions and their role in undermining the region's constitutional rights.
Abdullah highlighted that the Budgam by-election is crucial for the development of the segment, not for determining the chief minister.
He positioned the National Conference as the sole party actively opposing the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir and promised development initiatives if his candidate wins.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (National Conference - NC)
- What
- Campaigning for the Budgam by-election, Omar Abdullah accused the PDP of colluding with the BJP and being responsible for the erosion of Jammu and Kashmir's special status starting in 2015.
- When
- Saturday, ahead of the November 11 Budgam by-election.
- Where
- Mirgund, Budgam assembly segment.
- Why
- To secure votes for the NC candidate in the Budgam by-election and to highlight his party's stance against the BJP and criticism of the PDP's past alliances.
National Conference (NC)
People's Democratic Party (PDP)
Role in Loss of Special Status
National Conference (NC)
Omar Abdullah asserts that the erosion of Jammu and Kashmir's special status began in 2015 when the PDP formed a government with the BJP, leading to the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
People's Democratic Party (PDP)
Abdullah accuses the PDP of dishonesty and betrayal for allying with the BJP after campaigning against them in the 2014 elections, directly contributing to the loss of the state's special status and identity.
Apology for Past Actions
National Conference (NC)
Abdullah demands that the PDP acknowledge and apologize for their past mistakes and their role in undermining the region's special status.
People's Democratic Party (PDP)
The PDP has not issued an apology for its actions or alliances that Abdullah claims led to the damage of Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional rights.
Electoral Strategy and Alliances
National Conference (NC)
Abdullah suggests that had the NC allied with the BJP, statehood would have been restored and governance would be easier. He positions the NC as the sole party fighting the BJP in J&K.
People's Democratic Party (PDP)
Abdullah criticizes the PDP's electoral tactics, citing their fielding of candidates in areas where the NC wanted a contest against the BJP, and alleges collusion between opposition parties.
- Bypoll Date
- November 11
- Constituency
- Budgam Assembly seat
- Reason for Vacancy
- Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat after winning both Budgam and Ganderbal in the 2024 assembly elections.
- NC Candidate
- Aga Syed Mehmood
- Abdullah's Stance on BJP Alliance
- Refused to ally with the BJP, citing it as a reason for his party being targeted and for the delay in restoring statehood.
- Development Promises
- Promised a university and a cricket stadium/academy in Budgam, highlighting development works worth Rs 110 crore already undertaken.
Sources
J&K bypolls: CM Omar Abdullah says all political parties joined hands against NC
Omar hits bypoll trail – with guns blazing against PDP, but his own MP missing
J&K Bypolls: Omar Abdullah's Prestige Battle Amid Challenges Within, Without
