It’s Farooq vs sister in Srinagar

“I will file my nomination papers on Saturday,” Khalida Shah told The Indian Express. “I will not fight elections against an individual,but will definitely seek votes on the party’s plank,” she explained when asked about fighting polls against her brother.

Khalida said she was contesting because her party wished her to do so. “My party decided that I should contest polls from the prestigious Srinagar seat and I am ready to take the challenge,” she said,adding that if voted to power she would work for the immediate release of political prisoners. The ANC chief said peace,development and dignity would be the other issues on which she would seek votes.

Farooq Abdullah has so far avoided any adverse comments on his sister’s plans to contest. “It is a democracy and she too has a right to contest polls. She is my sister and I have the conscience of a brother and I will not make any personal comment during the campaign,” he said.

In fact,the two Abdullah’s siblings were set to face each other from Sonwar during the recent Assembly elections. However,family friends prevailed on Khalida not to file her nomination papers.

Observers here play down Khalida’s challenge. Despite being the face of her party in the Valley,Khalida’s support base has suffered a steady erosion over the years. More so in Srinagar,where the ANC has all but lost its identity as the inheritor of Sheikh Abdullah’s legacy. So,Khalida’s candidature is seen as symbolic at the most.