Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir's most flamboyant politician Farooq Abdullah is in a face off with own sister. Abdullah will lock horns with estranged sister and president of the Awami National Conference Khalida Shah. They're both contesting from the Srinagar constituency.
The siblings fell out years ago when her husband, the late GM Shah, split the National Conference and became chief minister.
Says Khalida Shah: "The nation is more important than family relations. I am fighting for my nation for which my parents and husband have made sacrifices." Khaleda has actively campaigned against the National Conference for years but she is considered a political lightweight. Even so, it makes the contest bitter.
Says Farooq Abdullah: "I have no comments to make about my sister. I leave it to the people's judgment."??
The challenge thrown by Khalida to his brother Farooq Abdullah may not be so big but it comes at a time when Farooq is facing tough fight from a Shia PDP candidate Moulana Ansari whose followers vote en masse.