A sweet aroma of dry crimson leaves had filled the chilly morning air. Women, young and old, donning colourful embroidered pherans (loose gowns sported during winters), were feverishly singing and dancing on the only road which had literally been painted green to welcome People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti.
As the convoy of bullet proof cars zipped through the apple orchards, the frenzied women jostled to have the glimpse of their leader. Sporting black pheran with a designer specs, Mehbooba opened the door of her car and clapped to the audience. Some women hugged and kissed her forehead to express their love. Others showered flower petals and confetti to give a traditional feel to the reception.
"Aslam-u-Aliqum", Mehbooba said politely. "Walikum Salam" came the reply from a huge crowd. Mehbooba grabbed the mike from a mobile public address system and shouts "Nara-e-Takbir" (shout out loud takbir)and the crowd loudly retorted "Allaho Akbar" (Allah is great).
A huge round of applause rent the air as people start shouting slogans for PDP. A youth brigade with green flag (PDP party flag) inscribed with pen and inkpot (party election symbol) wrapped on their bodies resort to frenzy sloganeering to pep up the crowd. "Mufti teri naam pe... Jaan bhi qurban hai" (We can sacrifice our lives for your name) rent the air with men and women joining in chorus.
From highlighting corruption scams to Afzal Guru hanging to killing of 120 youth to shoddy rescue and relief in floods, Mehbooba counts everything that has been the hallmark of the Omar Abdullah government in the last six years.
"Situation went bad to worse in the last six years of NC rule. If it was Shopian rape and murder in 2009, the 2010 saw the killing of 120 young boys. In 2011 it was the killing of Syed Yousuf. Then it was the execution of Afzal Guru which NC agreed to just to please Congress. And then came floods and the government failed to provide any succour to the people", Mehbooba said to a resounding applause.
Once considered the bastion of National Conference and headquarters of the counter insurgent leader Kuka Parray, Sonawari constituency of north Kashmir is seeing a battle of nerves with PDP nominee Yasir Reshi pitted against Parray's son who fights on Congress ticket and NC stalwart Akbar Lone.
Mehbooba makes impromptu stops at different places and comes out of the vehicle to greet the people. The hallmark of her speech is the lingo she uses. She speaks in chaste Kashmiri and tries to strike a chord with the villagers which form the core of her constituency in this part of Kashmir.
"Now time has come to change. You have to decide whether we will form government on 41 or 50 seats. But I have a request to all of you please change the destiny of this constituency. It has been defamed by some people and now time is to wash the taint off", she said.
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