‘Cut His Nose to Spite His Face by Withdrawing from Budgam Campaign’, CM Omar on MP Ruhulluh

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that senior National Conference (NC) leader Agha Ruhullah “politically harmed himself” by stepping away from the Budgam bypoll campaign, asserting that the move, intended as a signal to the party leadership, ultimately backfired on him.

Speaking to reporters, Omar remarked that Ruhullah’s decision reflected the English expression “cutting your nose to spite your face.”

“Ruhullah hurt his own prospects in an attempt to send me a message,” Omar said. “And let me tell you, the candidate who has now won from Budgam will not make it easy for Ruhullah to reclaim his ground.”

He added that Ruhullah’s future influence in Budgam would now depend on whether he is able to regain political space in the constituency. “Only Ruhullah can decide whether he can rise again in Budgam. Whatever has happened is behind us now,” he said.

The Chief Minister acknowledged that the NC had anticipated a challenging contest from the very beginning, citing the constituency’s complex voting patterns.

“In Budgam, voting is not always based on developmental work or performance,” Omar said. “A sizeable segment makes its decision quietly, without expressing anything during the campaign. We were aware from the outset that it would be tough.”

He attributed the outcome to a blend of silent voting behaviour, internal dissent, and shifting political sentiments. “We accept the people’s verdict and move ahead,” he added.