Click to play videoSrinagar: The fate of People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti will be sealed on Saturday as 11 Assembly constituencies go to polls in the fifth phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir.
Out of the 11 constituencies, six are in South Kashmir and its is an area where the PDP is strong and its star campaigner Mehbooba's political appeal is expected to draw good number of voters from Wachi segment.
Mehbooba is among 179 candidates whose electoral fate hangs in the balance. Five women nominees and 58 independents are also in the fray.
She last won from her bastion Pahalgam but this time around decided to contest from a relatively tough constituency.
"Pulwama is our backbone and it is because of my father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that so many people are coming out to vote," says Mehbooba.
The Muftis want to take a good lead especially in Pulwama, Shopian in fifth phase and then in Anantnag and Kulgam in the sixth.
PDP's arch rival National Conference too sounds confident of a good showing.
"We hope our performance will be better than in 2002. We had won two seats in 2002 but if we win more than two it will be good," National Congress President Omar Abdullah.
In the first four phases of polls, 60 per cent of people have defied separatists call for poll boycott and defeated harsh winter to stamp their approval on democracy.
Now it is the turn of south Kashmir and will it follow suit?
In Jammu, Congress leader Lal Singh is trying his luck from Kathua constituency with the party facing acute dissidence as six rebels are also in the fray for five seats.
Other places going to polls include Hiranagar which bore the brunt of the Amarnath land row agitation.
Voting in Bani, Billawar, Baholi and Hiranagar Assembly constituencies are taking place under the presence of a large number of security personnel.
(With inputs from Pawan Bali)
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
