Srinagar: Seven candidates filed their nominations on Thursday for different Assembly seats in Kashmir, which are going to polls in the first phase on September 18, officials said.
The candidates include one from the National Conference (NC), two from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), two from the Apni Party, one from the People’s Conference and an independent.
Former Jammu and Kashmir minister and senior NC leader Sakina Itoo filed her nomination from Damhal Hanji Pora, in the Kulgam district, the officials said.
Itoo filed her nomination papers before district election officer and deputy commissioner Kulgam. She was accompanied by NC vice-president Omar Abdullah and other leaders of the party.
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said he was hopeful of the success of all the party candidates.
“With the permission of party president Farooq Abdullah, our senior leader and colleague Sakina Itoo filed her nomination papers. Along with her success, we are hopeful of the success of every candidate who is contesting on our symbol,” he said.
Abdullah said the party has placed its manifesto before the people and “it will not be wrong to say that perhaps no other party can bring a better manifesto or programme or an agenda for the next five years”.
“We hope that when the people of J&K decide about their government for the next five years, they will provide an opportunity to the NC to serve the people here,” he added.
He expressed hope that Itoo will win by a huge margin.
“We are hopeful of a huge win from the seat. Well begun is half done. I feel today has been a good start and God willing it will have its impact on other seats as well,” he said.
Meanwhile, chairman of the PDP’s parliamentary board Mohammad Sartaj Madni filed his nomination from Devsar, while the party’s general secretary Mehboob Beg filed the nomination papers from the Anantnag seat.
Apni Party’s Abdul Majeed Padder filed his nomination from Damhal Hanji Pora, while party leader Mohammad Altaf Mir submitted papers from Pampore, the officials said.
They said People’s Conference’s Nazir Ahmad Laway filed nomination papers from Kulgam.
Independent candidate Asif Nabi Dar submitted his nomination papers from the Pulwama Assembly seat.
The last date for filing nomination papers for the 16 Assembly constituencies in the Kashmir valley is August 27. Eight seats from the Jammu region are also going to polls in the first phase.
