BJP faces an uphill task in Kishtwar-Ramban region

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 19

As all eyes are set on the counting of votes of the urban local bodies elections on Saturday, the BJP may find going tough in its stronghold of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts.

In these districts, the saffron party had won four of the six seats during the 2014 Assembly elections. Two of the four MLAs were also inducted in the Council of Ministers in the PDP-BJP government in the state.

There are seven municipal committees in these districts, three in Doda, one in Kishtwar, and three in Ramban. However, poll trends suggest that the BJP has chance only in two committees — Ramban and Batote of Ramban district.

In all other committees, observers say the saffron party’s chances are bleak, and Independents, backed by the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have an edge.

In Kishtwar town, from where former minister Sunil Sharma of the BJP hails, voting for 13 municipal wards was held on October 10. The BJP seems to be facing a tough time from the proxy candidates of the NC and PDP, say sources.

Similarly, in the 17 wards of the Doda municipal committee, Independents backed by the NC have more chances of winning. The Assembly segment of the area is represented by Shakti Parihar of the BJP.

In Bhaderwah also, the BJP is facing a tough time from NC and PDP proxy candidates while the Congress has an edge in Thathri, add the poll observers. The Bhaderwah Assembly seat is represented by BJP’s Daleep Singh Parihar.

In the Muslim-majority Banihal municipal committee of Ramban, three Congress candidates have won unopposed while on the remaining four seats, the BJP has slim chances, say the observers. In the other two municipal committees, Batote and Ramban, the BJP has a shot at winning but is facing a stiff competition from the Congress.

7 MCs in three dists

There are seven municipal committees (MCs) in these districts, three in Doda, one in Kishtwar, and three in Ramban. However, poll trends suggest that the BJP has chance only in two committees — Ramban and Batote of Ramban district.