Srinagar: In a landmark political shift, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the Budgam Assembly constituency for the first time in history, breaking the decades-long dominance of the National Conference (NC) in the central Kashmir seat.

PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi,, secured a winning margin of 4,496 votes, marking a significant breakthrough for the party, which had never tasted victory in Budgam across multiple assembly elections.

The by-election was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who won both Ganderbal and Budgam seats last year, chose to retain Ganderbal, leaving Budgam vacant.

Despite Budgam being a NC stronghold – historically held by the Aga family – the campaign this time appeared visibly weaker. Senior NC leader and MP Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi, who comma

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