India, Nov. 14 -- In a historic setback for Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the National Conference (NC) has lost the Budgam assembly seat in a bypoll, marking the first defeat for the party in its bastion since the first legislative assembly elections in 1957.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Aga Syed Muntazir defeated NC's Aga Syed Mahmood by 4,478 votes.

The NC had traditionally dominated the Shia-majority constituency, except in 1972 when the party boycotted polls across Jammu and Kashmir.

Abdullah had vacated the seat last year after winning the family stronghold of Ganderbal.

Meanwhile, in Nagrota, the BJP successfully retained its assembly seat with candidate Devyani Rana winning by 24,647 votes.

She d...