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| Will Modi's "Lalkaar" woo voters in Jammu, Udhampur? | | | Yes,Narendra Modi's pre-poll rally in
Hiranagar, a border belt in the Jammu region, attracted large crowds and his message was heard with keen interest by the people, what remains to be seen is whether his message to people will move voters to vote for the BJP candidates in the two Lok Sabha constituencies in the Jammu region. Modi has promised that he would carry forward the policy on Kashmir that had been framed by Atal Behari Vajpayee may be music to the ears of people, wishing peace to return to Kashmir. But his commitment on following Vajpayee's footsteps may not have any impact on the separatists and other anti-India forces in Kashmir after they had been convinced by the latest statement from a senior BJP leader,Arun Jaitley, in which he had opposed any move to allow any area in Jammu and Kashmir to cede from India. Still Modi's message from Hiranagar is clear in the sense that he has in his mind the idea of carrying forward Vajpayee's policy which has provided ample scope for humanity, democracy and Kashmiriyat to flourish in the northern state. Well Modi's blessings and support are needed for Dr Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore Sharma,two party candidates contesting from Jammu and Udhampur Lok Sabha constituencies, because the BJP candidates in the field in the Kashmir valley may fall in the category of "we also ran."
As far as Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency is concerned the BJP candidate, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, has bagged this seat thrice,1996,1998 and 1999,but had lost the polls in 2004 and in 2009 the BJP had fielded Dr Nirmal Singh who had lost by a small margin of over 13000 votes. This indicates that despite the fact that the Congress candidate Lal Singh had won the election from Udhampur in 2004 and 2009 the voters in the constituency are not averse to voting in favour of a BJP candidate.On the basis of this analogy one could have given some advantage to the BJP candidate,Dr Jitendra Singh, whose candidature has been preferred over Dr Nirmal Singh.But things are being made difficult for the reputed diabetologist to touch the tape. The reason being lack of unity in the non-Congress parties. Already Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta has decided to avenge his expulsion by fielding his son, Anil Gupta on JKDF ticket,from Udhampur. This could cause split in the pro-Sangh voters. Added damage may come to the BJP after Bhim Singh entered the poll fray from Udhampur. This will lead to major split in the anti-Congress votes allowing a safe passage for the Congress candidate, Ghulam Nabi Azad.However, his fate hangs on the success of the PDP candidate, Arshid Malik. If Malik polls a good number of muslim votes it may make things tough for Azad. Though Jammu Lok Sabha constituency has elected a Congress candidate since 1967 it has allowed an independent Thakur Baldev Singh,a staunch Sangh leader,to get elected to the Lok Sabha in 1977 and Vaid Vaishno Dutt won the seat in 1998 and 1999 defeating the Congress candidates. Besides this, the BJP candidates have remained runners up in the previous elections. Again candidates belonging to the PDP, BJP and Congress are included among over 19 candidates in the poll fray. One could say that things would have become easy for the BJP candidate,Jugal Kishore had not the PDP fielded Yashpal Sharma and it can be equally true for Yashpal had not the BJP fielded its candidate. Hence the going may be easy for Madan Lal Sharma of the Congress who has bagged the seat twice. Yes various areas in the Jammu region experience Modi wave but the Congress continues to have an edge over its rivals in Jammu and Udhampur constituencies because of lack of unity among the non-Congress and non-NC political parties.Both these constituencies are going to witness a multi-cornered contest because some influential independents are in the field besides the BSP is also trying to make its relevance registered.It is in this context Modi's second prepoll rally in Jammu area,first being in the winter capital,has added importance.People roared and cheered when Modi said "give me 60 months and I will undo all the damage done to the country by the Congress in the last 60 years."And it is to be seen whether Modi's powerful appeal to people will get reflected in the ballot boxes.Yes,the Congress in the Jammu region and the NC in the Kashmir valley continue to ache under the weight of anti-incumbency factor but the two may take advantage of the lack of unity in the opposition camp.Let one wait for Modi's miracle. |
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