NC harps on no. 5 for Oct 1

‘‘We offer namaz five times a day. Remember, five, and press button no. 5 when you cast your vote on October 1,’’ said National Conference leader Ali Mohammad Sagar at the rally here that wound up campaign for the third phase polls.

State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather was more specific. He said if people don’t support NC, they will remain underdeveloped. ‘‘Support us. Don’t forget, the NC will return to power. Those who will not vote for us will remain underdeveloped,’’ Rather said at the rally.

The party’s star campaigner Omar Abdullah was also here. He promised good governance and a government job to every family once the party returned to power.

Only a handful of people here are ready to talk about voting. For Abdul Aziz Mir, a villager, electing an MLA means relief and access to security forces. ‘‘An MLA can at least save us from getting killed if not from getting beaten.