PDP breaks NC fortress

Srinagar, Nov 14: In a historic electoral shift, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday captured the Budgam assembly seat for the first time, ending the National Conference (NC)’s uninterrupted dominance over the constituency for decades.

PDP candidate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi defeated NC’s Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Mosavi by a margin of 4478 votes, marking a significant political breakthrough in central Kashmir.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Aga Muntazir secured a total of 21,576 votes, including 21,565 EVM votes and 11 postal ballots, accounting for 34.19 percent of the total votes.

His nearest rival, NC’s Aga Syed Mehmood, received 17,098 votes, or 27.1 percent.

Independent candidate Jibran Dar emerged as a distant third with 7152 votes, while BJP’s Aga Syed Mohsin Mosvi polled 2,619 votes.

Several other independent and party candidates secured smaller tallies, including Nazir Ahmad Khan (AIP) with 3089 votes, Muntazir Mohiuddin with 3030, Muhammad Sameer Bhat with 2534, Mukhtar Ahmad Dar of Apni Party with 1710, Muhammad Maqbool Bhat with 1225, and Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat with 904 votes.

AAP’s Deeba Khan received 459 votes, independent Aditi Sharma 283, Manzoor Ahmad Ganie of Rashtriya Lok Dal 223, Muhammad Shafi Shah of Sampoorna Bharat Kranti Party 213, Parvej Ahmad Mir of the Republican Party of India 212, and Shabir Ahmad Ganie of the National Loktantrik Party 171 votes.

Farooq Ahmad of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (Bhim) secured 57 votes.

None of the Above (NOTA) option received 544 votes.

In total, 63,099 votes were polled in the by-election, including 61 postal ballots.

The bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat, choosing to retain his family stronghold of Ganderbal, which he also won in last year’s assembly elections.

Budgam has historically been a formidable NC stronghold, deeply influenced by the Aga family’s long-standing political presence.

The NC had retained the seat for decades, most recently in 2024 when Omar Abdullah defeated Muntazir Mehdi by more than 18,000 votes.

Before that, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi held the constituency across three consecutive terms from 2002 to 2014, and NC’s Syed Ghulam Hussain Geelani won the seat in 1996.

This year’s campaign saw a noticeable shift on the ground, with senior NC leader and MP Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi staying away from active campaigning.

Political observers say his absence weakened the NC’s traditional support base and contributed significantly to the division of its core vote, ultimately benefiting the PDP.

Reacting to his victory, Aga Syed Muntazir said the result reflected Budgam’s dissatisfaction with the ruling NC.

He said the verdict was a protest against unfulfilled developmental and political promises. “Budgam has sent a clear message that it will not tolerate neglect. This victory is the result of fifty years of hard work, and the people have voted for real representation and accountability,” he said.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti said the outcome was a victory of the people, adding that voters had recognised how the NC had repeatedly failed to honour its commitments.

She said the people chose a party that would work earnestly for their welfare and upliftment.

For the PDP, the win carries substantial organisational significance.

The party, which previously had three MLAs, will now have four in the J&K Legislative Assembly, strengthening its voice within the House.

The breakthrough in Budgam is being interpreted as a sign of changing political winds in central Kashmir.

With a strong mandate and renewed confidence, the PDP is expected to build on this momentum as it prepares for the next phase of political challenges.