National Conference leader and three-time chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah on Monday filed his nomination papers for Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency.
Abdullah will contest against Agha Mohsin of PDP and Khalid Jehangir of BJP in Srinagar constituency that will go to polls on April 18.
Congress has not fielded any candidate from Srinagar in view of its alliance with NC for the Lok Sabha elections.
Abdullah had won the by-elections for Lok Sabha polls for Srinagar in 2017 when only 8 per cent voters showed up at the polling stations.
NC's main contest in Srinagar is with PDP. The two parties have influence in the constituency but NC has traditionally been stronger in Srinagar-Budgam that constitute the Srinagar Parliament seat.
Abdullah was accompanied by NC vice president Omar Abdullah and general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar to file his nomination papers.
While Congress has not fielded any candidate from Srinagar, NC has said there will be “friendly” contest in south Kashmir's Anantnag Parliamentary constituency where PDP president Mehbooba is up against NC's Hasnain Masoodi and Congress' G.A. Mir.
Srinagar being the stronghold of separatists, the constituency is expected to witness a low turnout. A low turnout has traditionally helped NC.
Abdullah has been taking part in rallies organised by the Mahagadhbandhan of the opposition against BJP.
Security will be an issue during elections and the government is taking no chances, sources said. The security situation in Kashmir is grim but under control in view of the effective measures taken by the security forces.
Separatists have always called to boycott the elections, asking people not to cast their votes.
