Comparable in size to Israel, the Udhampur Lok Sabha seat of Jammu and Kashmir covers 20,230 square kilometers of mountainous Himalayan terrain and is all set to go for voting in the first phase of the 2024 general elections on April 19.
The parliamentary seat, currently held by the Bharatiya Janata Party, covers as many as 18 assembly constituencies from five districts – Kathua, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, and Udhampur.
Districts such as Udhampur and Kathua have a Hindu majority with pockets of Muslim population, while Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Bhaderwah are predominantly Muslim.
In the last two Lok Sabha polls, the demographic divide has influenced voting patterns, with Hindu voters largely supporting the BJP and Muslim voters aligning with Congress and regional parties.
Triangular contest
The contest on the seat is seen as triangular, with former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) fielding GM Saroori, Congress nominating its two-time Lok Sabha MP Choudhary Lal Singh, and BJP fielding minister of state in PMO Jitendra Singh.
Analysts say Lal Singh has a challenge to secure Muslim votes with a huge margin because of his previous association with the BJP and controversial remarks in the past.
However, he is being backed by regional parties such as National Conference and Peoples’ Democratic Party, who held rallies for him and stayed away from fielding their own party leaders.
Though final results will be known on June 4, on several occasions, the voters of this Lok Sabha seat have expressed growing discontent with employment and developmental projects.
Voters and candidates
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), there are over 16,23,195 registered voters, including 8,45,283 males and 7,77,899 females, and 13 transgender individuals who will decide the fate of 12 candidates in the fray.
The Udhampur parliamentary constituency is spread over five districts, including Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, and Kathua. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 2,637 polling stations across the constituency, of which 2,457 are situated in rural areas and 180 in urban areas, ensuring accessibility and convenience for voters from all corners of the constituency.
Notably, 23,637 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are included within the electoral roll, encompassing 14,362 males and 9,275 females. The young voters, aged 18-19 years, stand at 45,825 male voters, 38,641 female voters, and 2 transgender individuals, totaling 84,468 potential first-time voters.
The constituency boasts a considerable elderly population, with 12,020 male voters and 13,612 female voters aged 80 and above, totaling 25,632 seasoned voters contributing to the electoral discourse.
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