Uri, J&K:
On the campaign trail, 42-year-old separatist leader Sajjad Ghani Lone is risking his life and political future. Only a few months ago he strongly backed a boycott of elections, but now he is saying that even if he loses he will remain in the mainstream.
"Boycott is really difficult as people's confidence has grown ten fold in two months. Workers who have been alienated have come back," he said.
The former Hurriyat leader also had some stinging words for the separatist leadership that did a U-turn on boycotting the parliamentary poll.
"Mirwaiz ia a glorified errant boy of India and Pakistan. He has done the most damage to Kashmiris," Sajjad said.
Sajjad also said that Mirwaiz has a history of U-turns and doesn't know what he is talking about.
But all said and done, May 16 will determine what course separatist politics takes in Kashmir.