Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has been declared as the National Conference's candidate for the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in north Kashmir. Shia leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi will contest from Srinagar, a traditional NC stronghold in central Kashmir. Abdullah emphasized that his fight is against the powers behind the BJP's focus on North Kashmir, while Aga Ruhullah will contest from Central Kashmir.