NC Faces First Electoral Setback in Budgam; CM Omar Calls for Internal Review

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday acknowledged the party’s defeat in the Budgam Assembly segment and announced a comprehensive internal review to identify the shortcomings.

Speaking to reporters, Omar, said the party had genuinely expected a favourable mandate based on its development-oriented approach for the district.

“We wanted the development of Budgam, the betterment of its people. We wanted the next four years to be marked by strong and positive relations with the people of Budgam,” he said. “But the people of Budgam chose differently, and we respect that.”

National Conference (NC) tasted its first-ever electoral defeat in the Budgam assembly segment of Jammu Kashmir as the opposition PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir wrested the seat from the ruling party in the bypolls.

This is the first time that the NC has lost in its bastion of Budgam, in central Kashmir, since 1957, the first elections for the legislative assembly.

Calling the verdict a clear message, Omar stressed the importance of introspection and corrective action.

“Now we will sit and analyze this decision — where we lacked, what needs to be corrected. If changes are needed within the NC, we will think about them. If there is any need to make changes in the government, we will undertake that exercise as well,” he stated.

Describing the bypoll outcome as a moment of reflection for the party, Omar said that the leadership would soon convene to chart out the next steps.

“The results have come today. I will request our party president, Farooq Abdullah, to convene a meeting of the NC Working Committee so that we can discuss these results in detail,” he added. (KINS)