J&K Assembly polls: Close contest between Omar Abdullah, PDP's Ashraf Mir in Sonawar; BJP to cash on Modi wave, Fourth phase polling %, J&K Fourth phase polling %, J&K polling %, Fourth phase of J&K polls

J&K Assembly polls: Close contest between Omar Abdullah, PDP's Ashraf Mir in Sonawar; BJP to cash on Modi wave

 Srinagar: A day ahead of the fourth phase of polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is leading the fight for the National Conference from Sonawar, a constituency that bore the brunt of the recent floods. Omar is up against BJP candidate Darakshan Andrabi but many believe it is a straight contest between him and People's Democratic Party candidate Ashraf Mir, a businessman-turned-politician.

Ashraf Mir said, "For the last 18 years, this constituency is being represented by National Conference but it has never done anything for the people." For the first time in the Valley, the BJP is running an ambitious 'Mission 44+' campaign and hoping to capitalise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity.

Three Kashmiri women and a local pandit have taken up the BJP's fight in battleground Srinagar whose constituencies are well represented by the separatists. The BJP hopes the poll boycott will work for it, while PDP and NC are working overtime to get as many voters to the polling booths.

BJP candidate Neelam Gash is contesting from downtown Zadibal neighbourhood. The networking engineer-cum-social activist was banking on the sizeable Shia voters of this Assembly segment. Neelam Gash said, "I am the first female politician from the Shia community ever to stand for elections. BJP's manifesto brings our vision of Kashmir, for development, power and empowerment."

Srinagar has eight seats and whichever get together wins from right here could have a superb probability of being part of the subsequent state authorities. Srinagar has eight seats and whichever party wins from here will have a good chance of being a part of the next state government.

src:ibnlive,bharatpress

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