Jammu: The election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur parliamentary constituency ended this evening whereas voting is to be held from 7 am to 6 pm on April 19 in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.
Reports said that along with the major parties, smaller parties and independents have also put their full strength in the election campaign in the Udhampur Lok Sabha, which is one the biggest constituencies in India in terms of the area and having over 15 lakh votes. There are 12 candidates in the fray for the Udhampur seat which is heading towards a direct battle between BJP and the Congress.
However, the main contest is between BJP’s Dr Jitendra Singh and Congress Party’s Choudhary Lal Singh. Both BJP and Congress candidates represented the constituency for two terms from 2014-2024 and 2004 to 2014, respectively and are now seeking a third term in this election.
So far Udhampur Lok Sabha seat is the most discussed as sitting MP and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh of BJP had to face opposition from the former MP Choudhary Lal Singh of Congress. On the last day of campaigning, Jitendra Singh focused on Kathua district whereas Ch. Lal Singh visited hills of Doda and Kishtwar districts to make a last minute push.
The constituency is spread over five districts including Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur and Kathua and consists of 18 assembly constituencies including Udhampur West, Udhampur East, Chenani and Ramnagar (SC) of Udhampur. Bani, Billawar, Basohli, Jasrota, Kathua (SC) and Hiranagar of Kathua. Inderwal, Kishtwar and Padder–Nagseni of Kishtwar. Bhadarwah, Doda and Doda West of Doda and Ramban and Banihal of Ramban.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP’s candidate Dr. Jitendra Singh won from Udhampur with a total of 7,24,311 votes. Vikramaditya Singh, the nominee of the Indian National Congress, received 3,67,059 votes. The BJP secured a majority of 61 percent in the polls. Similarly, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Dr. Jitendra Singh had won from Udhampur, securing 4,87,369 votes. He defeated then Congress stalwart Ghulam Nabi Azad of Indian National Congress with a margin of 60,976 votes. Azad got 4,26,393 Votes.
