Buoyed by the candidature of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for this assembly segment in central Kashmir's Budgam district, people today thronged the polling stations in large numbers to vote for the Abdullah scion, who is for the first time fighting from outside the traditional family stronghold of Ganderbal constituency.
Waiting in long queues for their turn to vote on a chilly morning, a group of youth, wearing traditional cloaks, 'pherans' and keeping themselves warm with 'kangris' (earthen pots filled with charcoal), said the National Conference leader's announcement to fight the polls from the constituency had infused a new hope and enthusiasm among the people here.
"We were not expecting Omar to fight from here as the Abdullah family had always fought the polls from Ganderbal, but once the announcement was made, there was a lot of excitement as was evident during the campaign," a youth Farooq Ahmad Tantary said.
31-year-old Tantary said it was an "honour" for the people of Beerwah that the chief minister had chosen to fight the polls from the constituency and by voting in large numbers people want to show their love to Omar.
"The youth like me are thrilled that he (Omar) is contesting from here and we want to show our love and gratitude to him by voting in large numbers for him," Tantray said.
