Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who will be filing his nomination papers for Udhampur— Doda Parliamentary Constituency tomorrow, will be making his maiden attempt to enter the Lok Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir.
65—year—old Azad, who is currently a Rajya Sabha member, has been a Lok Sabha MP before but from outside J and K. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980 from Washim in Maharashtra and again from the same constituency in 1984.
Azad, who has served as J and K Chief Minister from April 2006 to 2008, will be contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the state for the first time despite being involved in the affairs of the State.
Born in Soti village in Bhadarwah area Doda district, Azad will face challenge from BJP’s Dr. Nirmal Singh, who was defeated in the last elections by Congress’ Lal Singh by a margin of 13,000 votes.
Bhim Singh, who has been contesting every election from this constituency, filed his nomination papers today, much to the displeasure of the BJP which was hoping that the votes did not split. Heading Panthers Party, Singh had polled 69,463 votes in the 2009 elections.
Azad, a nominee of the National Conference—Congress alliance, is believed to enjoy good support especially in Reasi, Udhampur, Basholi and Billawar assembly segements where Congress had not done well in the last Lok Sabha polls.
Comprising 17 assembly constituencies with nearly 14 lakh electorate, the Udhampur—Doda Parliamentary seat has been traditionally with the Congress since 1967 barring in 1996, 1998 and 1999 when BJP’s Chaman Lal Gupta won it.
Azad is expected to bank on the work done in remote areas of this region, especially in Doda and Kishtawar areas.
Being a Rajya Sabha member since 1991, Azad has utilised his MPLAD funds on developmental activities in this region.
