Budgam bypolls surprise
The recent verdict of Budgam Assembly Constituency has drawn many surprises. The ruling National Conference was defeated as Peoples Democratic Party won a surprising victory.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured a significant victory in J&K’s Budgam, where Muntazir Mehdi won with 21,576 votes, defeating the National Conference and an independent candidate by a margin of 4,478 votes. The BJP’s candidate, Mohsin Mosvi, finished sixth with a low count of 2,619 votes.
As a matter of fact, NC defeat comes as party Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Ruhullah Mehdi stayed away from the poll campaign in protest of the Omar Abdullah government’s “inability to deliver on its promises”. The differences between Mr. Abdullah and Mr. Ruhullah surfaced in the open with the two leaders were seen exchanging barbs against each other during the campaigning. Many see Mr. Ruhullah also a factor in the defeat of the NC, besides the anti-incumbency.
In a cryptic message on X, MP Ruhullah said, “Arrogance is the recipe for disaster. Consciousness, humility and introspection is the way”. Budgam saw pro-Ruhullah rallies after the NC lost to the PDP on Friday.
Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that senior National Conference leader Agha Ruhullah “damaged himself politically” by stepping away from the Budgam bypoll campaign, saying the move was intended to send a message to the party but ultimately hurt Ruhullah more than anyone else.
Speaking to reporters, Omar Abdullah, used the English expression “you cut your nose to spite your face” to describe Ruhullah’s decision.
Ruhullah killed himself to give me a message,” Omar said. “But remember, the person who has won from there will never let Ruhullah rise again.
Only Ruhullah can decide whether he will rise again in Budgam or not,” he said. “Whatever happened, happened.
Omar acknowledged that NC anticipated a tough contest even before the campaigning began.
Without doubt this verdict has opened a pandora box.