News India Live, Digital Desk: In the important by-elections held in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) has performed brilliantly and won both the seats. Party’s Vice President Omar Abdullah retained his hold on Budgam assembly seat, while the party’s candidate on Nagrota seat gave a crushing defeat to PDP (People’s Democratic Party). These results are being seen as a big blow for Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP.

Omar Abdullah’s easy victory in Badgaon

All eyes were on Budgam, one of the hottest seats in the valley, from where former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah himself was in the fray. From the very beginning of the counting of votes, Omar Abdullah had a decisive lead over his nearest rival, the PDP candidate. His victory margin increased with each round and in the end he easily won the seat. This victory not only further strengthens Omar’s personal stature, but also shows that the people of Budgam still trust the Abdullah family.

NC won in Nagrota also

Apart from Budgam, National Conference also showed its dominance in Nagrota assembly seat of Jammu division. Here the NC candidate defeated the PDP candidate in a close contest. This victory is also special because PDP had high hopes of winning this seat, but the party’s strategy could not succeed.

Time for introspection for PDP

These results are no less than an alarm bell for PDP, which was once considered the strongest party in the valley. After the removal of Article 370, the party is continuously searching for its political ground. Mehbooba Mufti had put all her strength into the election campaign, but she failed to gain public support. This defeat shows that PDP desperately needs to rethink its strategy and reestablish its connect with the public.

The results of these by-elections have once again proved that the National Conference is a major force in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir and the influence of the Abdullah family still remains.