Valley146;s message

Despite boycott calls from separatist groups, including the Hurriyat, enthusiasm in the Valley is at its peak for the civic body polls, which are being held after a long gap of 25 years on February 1. As many as 244 people have filed nominations for the 68 wards of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, where first-time members will further elect a Mayor. In Jammu, 608 have filed nominations for municipal corporation seats. Interestingly, a large number of the applicants are women. Many see this as another indication that the people of the state only want peace.

Upbeat NC

If NC leaders Farooq Abdullah and son Omar are smiling these days, they have a reason. Having threatened to boycott the civic body polls, they have got the Centre8212;which is keen to ensure the participation of the single-largest party in the Asembly in the exercise8212;to promise that these will be free and fair. The Union Home Ministry has also conceded the party8217;s demand for setting up a panel to discuss greater autonomy for J-K.