Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday expressed confidence that the National Conference (NC) will secure victory in the upcoming Budgam by-election, asserting that the party has worked tirelessly and is banking on a strong voter turnout in key areas.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the 20th Foundation Day celebrations of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) at Awantipora in south Kashmir, Omar said,
“Who contests elections to lose? We are hoping to win the elections. We have worked hard, and the rest is in the hands of the people. If votes are cast in the right areas and in good numbers, it will be a good win.”
The Budgam bypoll, scheduled for tomorrow, was necessitated after Omar vacated the seat, opting to retain Ganderbal following his victory from both constituencies in the 2024 Assembly elections. The by-election is widely seen as a test of the Omar-led government’s popularity after completing one year in office.
Earlier, addressing the university gathering, the Chief Minister commended IUST’s journey over the past two decades, describing its progress as a benchmark for higher education in Jammu and Kashmir.
“In my first term, IUST was still struggling to take off. Today, its transformation is evident in its infrastructure, faculty, and the quality of its students,” he said.
Omar also lauded the innovative projects showcased by students at the university’s Tech Expo, including robotic fruit-picking systems and automatic snow shovels designed for narrow lanes.
“These projects give me confidence that our future will be brighter than our present,” he remarked.
He highlighted the university’s growing academic collaborations, noting that multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with national and international institutions.
“For a university as young as this, 20 years is infancy; to have produced over 70 patents is a tribute to both its faculty and students,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening higher education, skill development, and research across Jammu and Kashmir.
On the occasion, he inaugurated a Community Radio Station and the Veshav Girls Hostel, released the university’s Annual Report, and felicitated students who brought laurels to the Union Territory in national-level sports events.
Omar also pledged government support for developing sports facilities within the university, emphasising that such infrastructure should be accessible to local residents.
“We will make sure the land is available for the sports complex, but it should not be confined only to the university,” he stated.
He further suggested affiliating colleges in south Kashmir with IUST to support its academic expansion.
“Kashmir is no longer a place of one university. IUST has grown to the level where colleges in south Kashmir can easily be affiliated with it,” he added.
