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| Countdown to Azad's 'acid test' begins | | Campaigning for Udhampur LS seat ends today | | KUNAL SHRIVATSA
JAMMU, Apr 14: The countdown to Union Health Minister and Congress stalwart Ghulam Nabi Azad's 'acid test' of his 'political career' has begun as the campaigning for the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, polling for which is to be held on April 17, will come to an end tomorrow evening.
Though Ghulam Nabi Azad with his vast political experience and unmatched popularity in the Udhampur-Doda-Kathua parliamentary constituency has been tipped to be a favourite among other candidates in the fray, including that of Bharatiya Janta Party's Dr Jitendra Singh, the heavy polling being anticipated for this segment as was witnessed for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat on April 10 has somewhat given sleepless nights to Congress since high turnout is generally associated with anti-incumbency factor.
"There is little scope for anti-incumbency factor in Udhampur-Doda as Azad's dynamic leadership will effectively counter it. Azad is drawing huge crowds everywhere in this constituency… People are pouring into his election rallies and road shows… His presence has enthused rank and file of the Congress party…. There is no uncertainty over Azad's huge victory from Udhampur-Doda," said Hukam Chand Basotra, a senior Congress leader from Billawar.
However, political analysts observe that no doubt, Azad has hit an emotional chord with the people of the constituency and is getting a 'positive' and 'overwhelming' response everywhere he is going, particularly, in far flung areas of Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Kathua but victory can be clinched only when he would be able to maintain the tempo and convert the huge gatherings into votes.
"Azad is campaigning aggressively and is way ahead of his opponents including BJP's Dr Jitendra Singh, PDP candidate Mohammad Arshad Malik and Panthers Party's Bhim Singh as far as canvassing is concerned in this constituency," observed political analysts adding that despite vigorous electioneering Azad is still facing stiff challenge especially from BJP in Hindu dominated areas of Kathua, Bani, Basohli, Billawar, Hiranagar, Udhampur and Reasi where the saffron party expects to perform better, thanks largely to Modi factor.
The political observers further opined that the presence of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) supremo Bhim Singh and Anil Gupta, son of rebel BJP leader and MLA Jammu (West) Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, who represented this seat for three consecutive terms from 1996 to 2004, in the contest is also helping Azad's cause while it is making matters worse for Dr Singh.
"The Udhampur-Doda constituency has large number of Rajput votes which could be cut by Panthers candidate Bhim Singh whose party holds a grip on such voters in parts of Udhampur, Ramnagar, Chenani and Reasi assembly constituencies while Anil Gupta could also spoil the party for BJP as his father's long association with the people of this constituency especially with the BJP's grass root level workers could make a dent in saffron party's traditional vote bank," said observers.
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