OMAR POISED TO COME BACK AS CM

Omar Abdullah, a key figure in the prominent Abdullah family of Jammu and Kashmir, has secured a significant political victory by winning both the Budgam and Ganderbal Assembly seats, two crucial constituencies in J&K. With this performance, the third-generation politician is positioned to become the next chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, continuing his family's long-standing political legacy in the region.

- AJAY JANDYAL

• Turning point for NC leader after loss in last LS polls

This Assembly election, the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, has been a major turning point for Abdullah, whose political future was at stake. Earlier this year, he suffered a major setback with a defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, which was seen as a blow to his political standing. However, the Assembly polls have provided a much-needed opportunity for the National Conference (NC) leader to re-establish himself in the state's political landscape.