Jitendra Singh versus Lal Singh in Udhampur
BJP leader Jitendra Singh and Lal Singh, who joined Congress recently.
The constituency, spread over 18 assembly constituencies and five districts of Jammu, is a tough battle as both candidates have won from this seat twice in their parliamentary career. Jitendra Singh won from here during the 2014 and 2019 elections, while Lal Singh had won during 2004 and 2009 elections.
Lal Singh's last minute re-entry into Congress after almost a decade and managing to get the ticket from Udhampur has posed a formidable challenge for Jitendra Singh, who otherwise considered it a cake walk.
While Jitendra Singh has focussed on getting high-profile campaigners, including PM Modi and defence minister Rajnath Singh to address rallies in the last few weeks, Lal Singh has managed to pull huge crowds cashing on the anti-incumbency sentiment and unemployment among youths.
BJP has highlighted abrogation of Article 370 and Ram temple during its rallies besides the claims of transforming J&K. However, Congress has raised the issues of disempowerment of the local population after August 2019 and promised to strive for restoration of statehood.
Congress is also planning to focus on the 32% Muslim population in this constituency through its alliance partner National Conference, whose leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have campaigned for Lal Singh. It is interesting given that NC was otherwise targeting Lal Singh for his controversial rallies and support of the accused in the rape and murder of 8-year-old tribal girl in Kathua in
