Mehbooba Mufti drove inside the election office with the state and national flag on her official cars.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday filed nomination papers for by-election to the Anantnag assembly constituency, her home turf, which fell vacant due to the death of her father and sitting legislator Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in January.
It is a do or die contest for 57-year-old Ms Mufti, who took charge of the government two months ago. As per the Constitution, she has to be elected as a member of the Jammu and Kashmir legislature within a mandatory six month period after being sworn in.
While Ms Mufti is hopeful about her victory, she is facing a tough contest. Nine candidates have filed their nomination papers for the seat which is scheduled to go to polls on June 19.
"I'm hopeful that people will repose faith in me and give me an opportunity to complete the work left by Mufti sahib," she said.
But the chief minister also courted controversy after she drove inside the election office with the state and national flag on her official cars - a violation of the Election Commission's code of conduct. The opposition has filed a complaint.
"We have filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the chief minister for violating model code of conduct," said Nasir Aslam Wani, senior leader of the National Conference.
Election authorities say they are looking into the complaint as the Election Commission has asked for a report about the code violations by the chief minister and her ministers. But the biggest challenge for the Election Commission and security forces will be ensuring violence free elections in the wake of the growing terrorism in south Kashmir. In last one year nearly 100 locals have joined terrorism in south Kashmir.
While Anantnag has been relatively calm compared to nearby Kulgam and Pulwama areas, here too there have been two grenade attacks in the main town in the last one month. The Election Commission says they are prepared to ensure peaceful elections.
"We are fully geared up. All necessary arrangements have been made about law and order and other issues," said Abid Rashid Shah, district election officer of Anantnag.