Iltija Mufti, the 35-year-old daughter of PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti, has officially entered the political arena by filing her nomination papers for the Bijbehara constituency in South Kashmir, a traditional stronghold for the PDP. This marks her electoral debut, and she expressed gratitude to the party for their trust in her, emphasizing the emotional significance of continuing her family's political legacy. Iltija noted that both her grandfather, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and her mother began their political careers in Bijbehara. Her mother, Mehbooba Mufti, has pledged not to contest elections until Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is restored, making Iltija's candidacy particularly notable. Iltija, who gained attention in 2019 for opposing the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, previously managed her mother’s social media accounts during a politically tumultuous period. The first phase of the J&K polls is set to begin on September 21, highlighting the urgency of her campaign efforts.