Three former CM's locked in tough contest in J-K

While NC leader Farooq Abdullah, is contesting from Hazratbal and Sonawar constituencies, PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is in the fray from Anantnag. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who made the maiden entry into the Assembly in 2006 bypoll from Bhaderwah segment is seeking re-election.

Amid signs of a hung assembly, the electoral fortunes of these heavyweights are likely to play a crucial role in post poll alliance in the state, observers say.

Not one of the 87 constituencies is witnessing straight or triangular contest. A record number of over 1200 candidates are contesting elections this time as against 706 in 2002 and 531 in 1996.

Abdullah who did not contest the 2002 polls is facing a formidable challenge from PDP in both the constituencies. In Hazratbal, he is pitted against PDP's Aisha Naqash besides 20 others, while in Sonawar, Abdullah is being challenged by veteran PDP leader G Q Paradesi and 10 other candidates.

Observers claim that NC and PDP are neck-to-neck in the two constituencies. Abdullah, a three time legislator (1983, 1987 and 1996), is for the first time seeking election from more than one segment.

He had earlier represented Ganderbal, but left it for his son Omar Abdullah in 2002 elections, who suffered an upset at the hands of PDP's Qazi Mohammad Afzal. In fact, no one from the Sheikh family was elected to the Assembly in 2002 polls as Omar's uncle Sheikh Mustafa Kamal was trounced from Gulmarg constituency.

These defeats were considered as a major reason why National Conference hesitated from exploring a possibility of forming a government even after it emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats.

This time again, a close contest is expected between Omar and Qazi. Even though NC leaders suggested that Abdullah should contest from his traditional constituency of Ganderbal but Omar remained adamant and wanted to avenge his 2002 defeat there.

Another exciting contest on cards is in Anantnag segment where former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is facing his one-time close aide Mehboob Beg who is contesting on an NC ticket.

Sayeed's maiden entry into the assembly was in 1967 from his home constituency of Bijbehara. However, he suffered defeat in 1972, 1977 and 1983 at the hands of NC candidate Abdul Gani Shah.

However, the slide was stopped by his daughter Mehbooba Mufti when she emerged victorious from Bijbehara in 1996 on a Congress ticket.

She resigned from the seat after quitting congress and formed PDP in 1999. In the bypoll, her party candidate Abdul Rehman Veeri registered victory. He retained the seat for PDP in 2002 elections.

Sayeed exhibited his influence in Anantnag when he won the 1998 parliamentary election. In 2002, he was not a member of the either houses but became Chief Minister after forging an alliance with Congress.

He won from Pahalgam constituency, vacated by his daughter Mehbooba Mufti after her election to the Lok Sabha in 2004 parliamentary elections. Sayeed won hands down from Pahalgam in the bypoll held in 2004.

A confident Sayeed shifted this time to Anantnag saying entire Jammu and Kashmir is his home. Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had never won elections in the state till his 2006 win and had even lost security deposit in 1977 elections.

The Congress leader's easy win in bypoll was mainly due to absence of NC as it did not field a candidate against him. However, this time, it would not be a cakewalk for Azad as he faces a four-cornered contest from NC, BJP and former alliance partner, PDP.

While former advocate general Mohammad Aslam Goni has been fielded by NC, Sheikh Mujeeb has been nominated by PDP. BJP has fielded its former state unit president D K Kotwal against Azad.

Among the keenly watched contests, will be Noorbabad constituency where senior PDP leader Abdul Aziz Zargar and NC star campaigner Sakina Itoo are pitted against each other.

Zargar defeated Itoo in the 2002 polls with a close margin of 315 votes. The anti-incumbency factor might favour Itoo this time but the veteran PDP leader has been highlighting the performance of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed during his three-year tenure as chief minister.

Another close contest is expected in Rafiabad where senior PDP leader Mohammad Dilawar Mir is pitted against his arch rival and senior Congress leader Abdul Gani Vakil. From Baramulla constituency, PDP's senior leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig is seeking election for the second time.

He is pitted against Mushtaq Ahmad Mir of Congress and National Conference nominee Nazir Hussain Khan besides nine others.

Baig, who scored victory in 2002 polls defeating NC's Ghulam Nabi Kachru by a margin of 2849 votes in a 13-cornered contest, is facing tough competition from both opponents this time.

In Gulmarg constituency, Ghulam Hassan Mir, a minister in PDP-led coalition, is seeking election for the third time. He formed his own Democratic party (Nationalist) after parting ways with PDP leadership.

Mir had won in 1983 on NC ticket but lost in 1987 and 1996 at the hands of Sheikh Mustafa Kamal of NC. However, he avenged the defeat in 2002 when he trounced Kamal by a margin of 19,998 votes.