evidence: Anantnag: The scene was set in Bijbehara, where she campaigned for her daughter Iltija Mufti. A gathering of around 100 eager supporters, primarily men, awaiting their leader Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to arrive near a local petrol pump. When she addressed the crowd from her car, she invoked her family’s legacy, contrasting her party’s compassionate governance against the backdrop of her opponents’ controversial histories. [...] As the PDP navigates the complexities of the current electoral landscape, Mehbooba Mufti’s ability to balance her party’s legacy with the harsh realities of public sentiment will be crucial. Her journey from a beloved figure in the 1990s to a controversial leader in recent years encapsulates the shifting dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir’s politics. Whether she can orchestrate a comeback in these elections remains uncertain, but her commitment to reviving the PDP’s fortunes is palpable as she strived to reconnect with the electorate amidst a tumultuous political climate.