Omar Abdullah files nomination from Beerwah

Abdullah will also be contesting from the Sonawar assembly segment

Thousands of National Conference supporters painted this central Kashmir town red by carrying out a massive roadshow as party's working president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah filed his nomination from this assembly segment today.

Red-and-white flags and buntings of the NC adorned both sides of the road from Narbal to Beerwah - distance of nearly 20 kilometres - as Omar interacted with people along the way.

Omar, who chose to contest from Beerwah and Sonawar assembly segments instead of the Ganderbal family bastion, stepped beyond the security protocol to mingle with the enthusiastic supporters.

Omar's security detail had a tough time as the supporters of the Chief Minister used the opportunity to click some 'selfies' with their leader.

After filing his nomination papers, the supporters did not allow the NC leader to board his vehicle and instead urged him to walk through to Beerwah Bus Stand, where he is scheduled to address a rally.

Omar happily obliged and even instructed the security personnel not to prevent people from coming closer to him.

Clad in a pheran (traditional Kashmiri gown used during winter), Omar paid obeisance at a local shrine at Nihalpora in Pattan area of Baramulla district.

Hundreds of trucks, buses, cars, autorickhsaws and motorcycles formed a huge procession in front and at the back of the cavalcade of the NC working president.

Shouting slogans in favour of Omar and the NC - the premier political party in the state, the activists including women broke into spontaneous dance jigs and cheers.