The Election Commission (EC) has set up as many as 2,051 polling booths in the Udhampur-Doda constituency which goes to polls on April 17 and the canvassing for which came to an end on Tuesday evening.
Nearly 14.4 lakh electorates - spread over 17 assembly segments - will seal the fate of 13 candidates in fray in the electronic voting machines (EVM) on Thursday.
The contest, as seen by many, to be a three-cornered between union health minister and Congress candidate Ghulam Nabi Azad and his arch rival BJP candidate Jitendra Singh, who is trying to cash in on the so-called Modi wave, and Peoples Democratic party’s (PDP) Arshad Malik.
On the last day of campaigning, all major political parties - including coalition partners NC-Congress - BJP, PDP and Panthers Party held rallies at various places in the constituency.
Led by its national president Rajnath Singh, the BJP staged a mammoth rally in Udhampur in support of Jitendra Singh. The rally also saw some prominent figures in the state joining Rajnath.
Throughout its campaign, the BJP raised nationalist plank, while accusing the government of being insensitive towards SPOs (special police officers), who played a major role in eradicating militancy from the hilly regions of Doda, Ramban, Banihal, Kishtwar and Udhmapur, and settling so-called former militants.
{{/usCountry}}Throughout its campaign, the BJP raised nationalist plank, while accusing the government of being insensitive towards SPOs (special police officers), who played a major role in eradicating militancy from the hilly regions of Doda, Ramban, Banihal, Kishtwar and Udhmapur, and settling so-called former militants.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, Jitendra Singh alleged Azad of his role in the multi-crore Roshni scam.
Last week, AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi had campaigned for Azad in Doda.
However, Azad on Tuesday visited Marwah, Warwan and Dachhan areas of Kishtwar district and cautioned people against “divisive and hate politics” of the BJP.
In their camping, the Congress-NC coalition has been making their developmental model a plank, as the coalitation government has provided better road connectivity, healthcare facilities, education system and sanctioning of five medical colleges in the region.
2,051 polling booths
There are 602 polling stations in Kathua district, 389 in Udhampur, 373 in Reasi, 257 in Doda, 225 in Kishtwar and 205 in Ramban district.
Five assembly segments come under Kathua district having largest area, three assembly segments each fall under Udhampur and Reasi districts, two each assembly segments fall under Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts.