Srinagar, Mar 10: Reaffirming its faith in a seasoned political heavyweight, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has once again fielded Union Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, as its candidate for the high-stakes Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.
This marks Dr Singh’s third consecutive bid for the pivotal seat, a testament to his widespread popularity and the party’s unwavering confidence in his electoral prowess.The announcement of Dr Jitendra Singh’s candidature came as part of the BJP’s initial list of candidates, which also featured Jugal Kishore Sharma as the party’s pick for the Jammu Lok Sabha seat, signalling the party’s intent to fortify its stronghold in the union territory.
With his close association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his influential role in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh’s candidacy is expected to energize the BJP’s campaign trail and galvanize the party’s support base in Udhampur, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in J&K.
In the 2014 LS polls, Dr Singh secured 487,369 votes, outstripping Azad’s 426,393. However, Azad has since parted ways with the Congress party and established his outfit, the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).
For the upcoming polls, Azad has announced G M Saroori as the party’s candidate from the parliamentary constituency.
In the 2019 elections, Dr Jitendra Singh retained the Udhampur seat, defeating Congress candidate Vikram Aditya Singh by a significant margin. His resounding victory, with 724,311 votes, demonstrated his enduring popularity in the region.
BJP’s decision to field Dr Jitendra Singh from Udhampur underscores its strategic approach to the upcoming elections, aiming to maintain its stronghold in the region. The party’s early declaration of candidates reflects its intent to exert pressure on the opposition from the outset.
Sources within the BJP indicate that Dr Jitendra Singh’s candidacy was finalized after extensive deliberations within the party leadership. Despite considerations of other potential candidates, the party ultimately reaffirmed its trust in Dr Singh’s ability to represent the constituency effectively.
The nomination has sparked celebrations among BJP supporters, with festivities erupting in Lakhanpur, symbolizing the party’s enthusiasm for Dr Jitendra Singh’s candidacy.
As Dr Jitendra Singh gears up for his third electoral battle in Udhampur, all eyes are on the contest, especially with the emergence of Ghulam Nabi Azad’s new political entity, which could add a fresh dynamic to the electoral landscape.
