Jammu Tawi, Nov 14: Conceding defeat in the Budgam and Nagrota Assembly segments, National Conference (NC) Vice President and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the party would analyse the results and take corrective steps. He claimed that NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi had “committed political suicide” to “send me a message” through the Budgam by-poll.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said the “Ruhullah factor” had clearly influenced the outcome. “It’s like cutting off your nose to spite your face. Ruhullah has committed political suicide to send me a message. The man who has won will never allow him to contest from Budgam again. I can contest again, but whether he can contest is for him to decide,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the party respected the people’s verdict. “We fought to win, but the people of Budgam had a different view. We wanted development and closer ties with the government for the constituency. The party will now examine the loopholes and areas that need focus,” he said.
He added that changes— organisational or administrative — would be considered after a thorough review. “We won’t act in haste. I urge Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah to convene a Working Committee meeting to discuss the defeats in Budgam and Nagrota.”
Responding to a question, Omar said that after watching the Bihar results, his own loss stung less. “I knew Budgam would be tough. People there don’t vote on development but largely for individuals,” he remarked.
On the demolition of a house in Pulwama earlier in the day, Omar questioned the efficacy of such measures. “If demolishing homes could stop terrorism, it would have stopped long ago. Many houses have been dismantled since the Pahalgam attack — has militancy ended? Such actions may only increase anger. These decisions are not in our hands, but authorities must reconsider whether this helps,” he said.
Omar noted that during his six-year tenure as Chief Minister, security responsibility rested with him. “Every year, militancy-related incidents declined. But we never felt the need to demolish houses,” he added.
