Srinagar, Nov. 14 -- The by-elections to the Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies delivered sharply contrasting results on Friday, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wresting Budgam from the National Conference (NC) for the first time in history, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cruised to a commanding victory in Nagrota.

Opposition PDP candidate Aga Syed Muntazir defeated ruling NC nominee Aga Syed Mehmood by 4,478 votes, securing 21,576 votes against Mehmood's 17,098, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The BJP's Aga Syed Mohsin fared poorly in the Shia-dominated segment, finishing sixth with 2,619 votes.

Budgam recorded a voter turnout of 50.01% of its 1.26 lakh electorate - slightly lower than the ...