In a major setback to the year-old National Conference (NC) government in Jammu and Kashmir, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday won the Budgam Assembly bypoll—breaching a constituency that the NC had dominated uninterrupted since 1977.

According to the Election Commission, PDP candidate Aga Syed Muntazir defeated NC’s Aga Syed Mehmood by a margin of over 4,400 votes. Independent candidate Jibran Dar finished third with more than 7,000 votes.

Polling for the Budgam seat was held on Monday and recorded over 50 per cent turnout. The seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had won from both Budgam and Ganderbal in the last election, opted to retain Ganderbal.

The NC campaign this time unfolded without the participation of senior party leader and Srinagar MP Syed A

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