As votes are being counted in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti's daughter Iltija Mufti is not in a comfortable position. Early trends show she is trailing from the Srigufwara-Bijbehara seat. Iltija faces National Conference leader Bashir Ahmad Veeri.
This is 36-year-old Iltija's debut elections. Ironically, Srigufwara-Bijbehara is a stronghold of the PDP and a historic seat for the Mufti family.
So far, the PDP has failed to put up a tight fight with its candidates leading only in three seats so far in the 90-seat Assembly.
This is Sheikh's first contest after quitting his position as a government teacher after Rashid defeated Omar Abdullah and Peo
Meanwhile, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief Engineer Rashid's brother Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh was trailing in the Langate constituency. He faces People's Conference candidate Irfan Sultan Pandithpuri in Langate.
Interestingly, Rashid, who has been in jail since 2019 in a terror-funding case, has won from Langate seat twice in 2008 and 2014.
ple’s Conference leader Sajad Lone in the Lok Sabha elections. Langate has always been an NC stronghold until Rashid snatched it in 2009.
However, AIP has some hope in Rafiabad as its candidate Muzafar Ahmad Dar currently ahead of National Conference candidate Javid Ahmad Dar.
Meanwhile, Sajad Lone of JKPC is trailing in Kupwara but trends show he is ahead in the Handwara constituency. Lone, the chairman of People's Conference, faces a tough battle against NC provincial president and former minister of state for home Nasir Aslam Wani. In Handwara, Lone battles NC's Choudhary Ramzan, who previously won the seat in 2008.