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Omar Abdullah files nomination
papers from Ganderbal

Abdullah, the NC's chief ministerial candidate, filed his papers from Ganderbal segment, a stronghold of the party.

"Present election is tougher than the one in 1977," he said before filing his papers. However, he did not elaborate.

Before filing nomination, Abdullah, who is contesting the assembly elections for the first time, visited the famous shrines of Hazratbal, Pir Dastigir Sahib, Khanyar, Shah-e-Hamdaan, Khankhai-e-Molla and Maqdoom Sahib. He said he had prayed for the return of peace and prosperity in the state.

Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather entered the fray from his home constituency of Charar-e-Sharief. Ghulam Nabi Lone of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party and independent Mohammed Jamaal Itoo also filed their papers from there.

As many 50 candidates have so far filed their papers for the second phase.

Twenty-six candidates filed their nominations from nine of the ten constituencies of Srinagar district. Thirteen filed their nominations from five constituencies of Budgam district, the sources said.

The NC suffered a big jolt as its sitting legislator from Amirakadal in Srinagar, Mohammed Shafi Bhat, quit the party to file nomination as a Congress candidate.

Former minister and NC leader Hakeem Mohammed Yaseen filed his nomination as an independent from Khansahib constituency in Budgam.

He was dropped from the list of NC nominees in favour of a new entrant, Ghulam Nabi Mir Lasjan, son of a former Congress stalwart in the state.

PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2002: The complete coverage

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