J&K minister Sakina Itoo files nomination from Noorabad

Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo today filed her nomination papers from Noorabad Assembly constituency that goes to polls in second phase of the assembly elections on December 2.
Itoo, a two-time MLA of the ruling National Conference, filed her nomination papers before the Returning Officer of Noorabad assembly segment in south Kashmir's Kulgam district and was accompanied by party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar.
Sagar said NC was set to emerge as the single largest party yet again in the state post the elections and would give many "surprises" to its opponents from south Kashmir.
"PDP was facing a severe crisis within the party and a sharp backlash from the public for corruption cases, scams and scandals being unearthed against the party's candidates every passing day," he said.

He said PDP talks of incumbency and anti-incumbency without realizing that most of the party's sitting legislators from south Kashmir have a huge anti-incumbency sentiment going against them in their respective areas.
"They were elected to represent the people of their areas in the assembly and work for their welfare but they chose to abandon their constituency for melodramatic theatrics in the assembly.

"Based on their absolutely disappointing stints after being elected by the people, most PDP MLAs from south Kashmir have a wave of public resentment against them and NC is poised to reclaim a lot of seats from PDP in the coming elections," Sagar said while addressing a rally.

Noorabad is the lone assembly segment, out of the 16 in south Kashmir, represented by the NC. The PDP won majority, 12, of the seats in 2008 assembly elections, while Congress has two and CPI(M) one.
Itoo had won the elections from Noorabad in 1996, but lost to PDP leader Abdul Aziz Zargar in 2002. She reclaimed the seat in 2008 by defeating Zargar by over 4,500 votes.
Two other NC candidates, Abdul Majeed and Imran Nabi also filed their nominations from Kulgam and Homshalibugh constituencies.