India, Nov. 14 -- In a setback for the ruling National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi defeated NC's Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Mosavi by 4,478 votes to win the Budgam assembly byelection on Friday.

Muntazir Mehdi won with 21,576 votes, defeating the National Conference nominee, who polled 17,098 votes.

The Budgam bypoll was necessitated after chief minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat and chose his family bastion of Ganderbal after winning from both constituencies in the assembly elections last year.

Congratulating party candidate Muntazir, PDP leader Ilitija Mufti said: "It is our victory, and under the nose of the NC, we snatched their citadel. This is the message from the people of Budgam to...