On Saturday, when National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah was campaigning in Sirsa (Haryana) for INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala’s candidates, on his home turf results for the first phase of civic polls were out. The NC camp was in a state of shock. The party had been reduced to the fourth position.Despite allegations of rigging — raised by Omar Abdullah — the party’s sincerity in fighting the elections can be judged through one example: Abdullah, who gave enough time to friend Chautala, did not campaign even once in the Valley. Omar was the lone campaigner. These results may also have a hidden message — the success of PDF-supported Independents will intensify the campaign for the formation of a third front in the coalition.In Baramulla, PDF-supported Independents have won 10 out of 12 seats, in Bandipora, PDF has emerged as the single-largest group and in Handwara, it has swept the polls by winning 11 of the 12 seats.
