It is Congress Vs BJP in G-Nagar; Neck-to-neck fight expected

Will Modi wave overdo Bhalla’s development plank

PS Bali

Jammu, Dec 7:

The 71-Gandhi Nagar Constituency of Jammu district is likely to witness exciting fight between arch rivals Congress and BJP in the fifth phase of state assembly elections, whereas other major political parties are also expected to make inroads to dent vote share.

Population wise largest constituency of the state, consisting urban and rural population, is believed to be the stronghold of Congress with party strongman and minister, Raman Bhalla having represented it twice in a row.  

The region was considered as the bastion of Congress leader, Raman Bhalla, who won two consecutive assembly elections and has occupied the seat since 2002. Prior to Bhalla’s entry, BJPs Choudhary Piara Singh has represented it twice.

However despite surcharged atmosphere due to the Amarnath land row, Bhalla retained the seat in 2008.

He defeated BJP’s strongman, Prof Nirmal Singh with a margin of 2263, who this time change his constituency and went back to birth place Billawar.

In 2008, among heavyweight Congress leader and then deputy chief minister Pt Mangat Ram Sharma and Minister Mula Ram, Bhalla was only Congressman, who retain seat in Jammu city and keep the flag of Congress on map.

One of the prominent faces of the party from the Jammu region he was remained minister from last nine year.

However BJP after a long delay  on deciding candidate for Gandhi Nagar finally give mandate to former mayor Kavinder Gupta, who had served for three terms as mayor and enjoys popularity among Jammuites.

However many local BJP leaders expressed disagreement with high commands decision as Gupta belongs to Jammu West Constituency and considered as ‘outsider’ in Gandhi Nagar segment, the issue which  the opponents were likely  to use to lure voters.

As per political experts, Raman Bhalla is locked in a direct contest with BJP candidate Kavinder Gupta.

Political experts believe that Kavinder may remain at receiving end because of being outsider and has to put extra efforts to make place in the hearts of the people of the constituency to replace incumbent Congress leader.

But riding on the juggernauts of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who is expected to hold election campaign rally in Jammu, Kavinder might give tough fight to Congress star, Raman Bhalla.

If political experts are to be believed, Raman Bhalla would be in tight condition due to recurrent allegations of using substandard material in the developmental    works to ‘embezzle funds’.

He has been also criticized for giving less importance to interiors of the constituency.

However, political experts assume that only ‘Modi wave’ is standing between Raman Bhalla and victory.

They said that if the Prime Minister holds a rally in Jammu, it will reverse the fortunes.

Kavinder is also hoping that people will vote the same way they have voted in the parliamentary elections this year.

While other parties, including ruling National Conference and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had given mandate to Sikh candidates to garner much support from Sikh belt of Nanak Nagar, Digiana  and Preet Nagar.

Though, candidates of these political parties are putting in concerted  efforts to contest Congress and BJP by reaching voters and seeking support on the basis of religion, experts say that besides religious card, these regional parties have nothing to offer.

Out of the 87 Assembly constituencies, the Gandhi Nagar segment has distinction to have largest population with 172 polling stations.

166132 electorates, including 85824 males and 80308 females will decide fate of 11 candidates in fray from Gandhi Nagar constituency, on December 20- the polling day for the last phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.