National Conference Suffers Historic Defeat in Budgam: Omar Abdullah's Party Loses Stronghold After 67 Years

Nov 14, 2025 08:00 pm CST

In a historic political upset, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's National Conference party has lost the Budgam assembly seat in a recent bypoll, a constituency it had held continuously since 1957. The PDP candidate defeated the NC by 4,478 votes, marking the first time in 67 years that this stronghold has slipped from NC's grasp. This defeat, coupled with another loss in Nagrota, raises questions about Abdullah's political standing amid internal party conflicts and opposition criticism.