Srinagar, Nov. 17 -- In politics, defeats are often described as temporary setbacks. But some losses carry the weight of a verdict - a message so sharp that pretending not to hear it becomes a luxury that only the arrogant can afford. The recent bypoll debacle of the National Conference (NC) candidate is one such verdict. It did not merely signal disapproval; it revealed the deep disillusionment of a voter base that once stood by the party through storm, siege, and suffocation. This time, the voter walked away - quietly, firmly, and with unmistakable intent.

For decades, NC's hold over Kashmir was built on two pillars: emotional ownership of the Valley's political narrative, and the charisma of its leadership. But the decline of both has...