Both rival People's Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) claim to have won Kashmir's springboard of politics Srinagar, also the state's summer capital, which holds key with eight assembly segments to scale up the parties' chances to rule the 87-member state.
Just four days away from the results of the polls, the NC claims to have wrested all eight seats, which in the past has remained their bastion, in the polls held on December 14.
"We have worked really hard. All other parties had conspired against the NC so that we could lose Srinagar but we stood firm and if God wills, we are going to register the triumph during the ongoing polls," said NC general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, who contested from Srinagar's Khanyar constituency with stiff competition from PDP's former employees' union leader Khursheed Alam.
The Congress, though on a weak wicket, also made a claim over Srinagar with Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz claiming that Srinagar "is no more a bastion of the NC."
Both NC and the PDP remain edgy about Srinagar. At present, all segments are represented by the NC but the PDP is leading from five constituencies in the Lok Sabha polls.
{{/usCountry}}Both NC and the PDP remain edgy about Srinagar. At present, all segments are represented by the NC but the PDP is leading from five constituencies in the Lok Sabha polls.
{{/usCountry}}While the NC aims to retain all seats, the PDP wants to shed its image of not being a Srinagar-backed party.
"I appreciate the resolve of people and want to congratulate people of Amirakadal for showing their wisdom and voting out NC and other candidates on December 14," said PDP candidate Altaf Bukhari.
Claiming victory from his constituency, Bukhari acknowledged the hardwork of his workers "who put in all their blood and sweat in incrementing the voter turnout for ensuring his victory."
"I thank all people who came out, especially the first time voters who voted for me. A change will usher in a new era of progress and prosperity," he added.