CM among 85 MLAs, two MPs cast their votes in J

Srinagar, July 19 (UNI) As many as 85 legislators of Jammu and Kashmir and two Lok Sabha members from the state cast their votes in the Presidential election here today.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference (NC) president Omar Abdullah were among those who cast their votes in the lobby of the Legislative Assembly.

According to the Legislative Assembly Secretary, the polling, which started at 1000 hrs and concluded at 1700 hrs, was conducted in a smooth and peaceful manner.

The polling was held amid tight security arrangements across the summer capital of the state.

UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil is pitted against NDA-backed independent candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for the top post.

The state Assembly has a strength of 87 members.

Out of these, the NC has 25, Congress 21, PDP 18, Panthers Party 4, CPI(M) 2, Jammu State Morcha, Democratic Morcha, Awami League, BJP and BSP one each, and Independents 12.

Ms Patil was expected to secure maximum votes from Jammu and Kashmir as she has the support of not only the coalition partners (the Congress, the PDP and some independents) and the CPI(M), but also the main opposition NC.

The NC had decided to support the UPA-left candidate to keep in with the party's secular credentials and traditions.

At a joint meeting of the Central Working Committee and the Legislature Party chaired by Mr Abdullah and also attended by NC patron Farooq Abdullah here recently, it was decided that the party legislators and parliamentarians would vote for Ms Patil, who was supported by all secular and democratic forces of the country.

However, besides the BJP, the Panthers Party, led by Prof Bhim Singh, had extended its support to Mr Shekhawat.

UNI