Clashes broke out between the workers of the ruling regional National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Forum (PDF) in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam District on Wednesday, as candidates filed their nominations for the upcoming assembly elections.
Regional party candidates were busy rallying in their respective constituencies, and some of them and their supporters indulged in spatwith each other, which had to be controlled by deployment of police.
While campaigning, general secretary of regional National Conference (NC) Ali Mohammad Sagar said he was confident of his party's win in the upcoming polls.
"Seeing the enthusiasm of the people, with 30,000 supporters on the streets the supporter of our opponent, Hakeem Yasin must be in frustrated, as the win of National Conference (NC) is definite in the state polls," Sagar said.
Founder and chief of Peoples Democratic Forum (PDF), Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, popularly known as Khan Sahib, forged an alliance to form People's United Front (PUF) in September last year in a bid to put up a 'Third Front'. Apparently in this elections, the 'Third Front' will play a decisive role.
The state elections are scheduled to begin from November 25 and will conclude on December 20, it will be conducted in five phases. Counting of votes will take place on December 23.
In September this year, the river Jhelum overflowed and flooded Srinagar, destroying homes and livelihoods, and fuelling anger against the state administration.
Another issue troubling people in the state is the cross border firing.
Exchanges of sporadic fire are common along the de facto border dividing the region, despite a ceasefire pact signed in 2003. But the extent and intensity of the latest violence and the number of civilian deaths is unusual.
