Srinagar, Nov 14 — Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said senior National Conference (NC) leader Agha Ruhullah “damaged himself politically” by distancing himself from the Budgam bypoll campaign—an act he described as an attempt to send a message to the party that ultimately backfired on Ruhullah.
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah invoked the English expression “cut your nose to spite your face” to characterise Ruhullah’s decision. “Ruhullah killed himself to give me a message,” he said. “But remember, the person who has won from there will never let Ruhullah rise again.”
The Chief Minister said Ruhullah’s future in Budgam now rests entirely on his ability to regain lost ground. “Only Ruhullah can decide whether he will rise again in Budgam or not,” he said. “Whatever happened, happened.”
Abdullah also noted that the NC had anticipated a difficult contest from the outset. “In Budgam, people do not vote only on work,” he said. “There is a significant section that does not vote on issues at all. Many voters make their choice quietly, behind the curtain. So I already knew it wouldn’t be easy for us.”
He attributed the final outcome to a mix of silent voting patterns, internal discontent and shifting political moods. “We accept the verdict and move forward,” he added.
