Causes of NC’s Budgam defeat will be analysed: Omar Abdullah

After the ruling National Conference (NC) on Friday lost the bypolls for the Budgam assembly seat, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the causes of the defeat will be analysed and a comprehensive internal review will be held to identify the shortcomings.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti scored a major victory as her party’s candidate, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, defeated NC nominee Aga Syed Mahmood Al-Mosavi in the Budgam bypoll by a convincing margin.

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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”.

Calling the verdict a clear message, Omar stressed the importance of introspection and corrective action.
“Now we will sit and analyse this loss, where we lacked, and 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 a meeting to chart out the next steps.

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