BJP, People's Conference vie for Srinagar Mayor post

Mind games have begun ahead of the counting of the Municipal Polls with both the BJP and People's Conference (PC) led by former separatist-turned-MLA Sajad Lone claiming that the Mayor of the state's summer capital Srinagar will be from their party.

"All set Inshallah (God Willing) to have the first mayor from PC. Expecting very good results. Time to give Srinagar what it deserves; a set of hardworking people who work there on the ground," Lone tweeted two days ahead of the counting of votes.

He also claimed that his party will take over major Urban Local Bodies in North Kashmir.

Lone's claim notwithstanding, BJP state president Ravinder Raina too jumped on to the bandwagon claiming that they will sweep the polls and wrest at least 15 municipal bodies in the Valley besides the Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation.

"Both the capital cities (Kashmir and Jammu) will have Mayor from the BJP. Lotus will bloom across the state this time around," said Raina.

National Conference, PDP, CPI(M) and others boycotted the Municipal and Panchayat polls over the issue of Article 35A. However, the BJP, Congress and People's Conference participated in the polls.