Reclaiming Basholi seat for Congress after two decades uphill task for Lal Singh
Kathua district goes to polls with battle lines clearly drawn between the Congress and the BJP across all six seats with focus on the Basholi Assembly constituency, where three-time MLA and two-time MP Choudhary Lal Singh faces a Herculean task to reclaim his traditional stronghold for the fourth time.
Basholi has sent Singh and his wife Kanta Andotra to J&K Assembly four times out of the nine elections, while the Congress has won it seven times overall.
People frustrated
People are frustrated with the L-G admn and the BJP govt. They want an end to this BJP’s dictatorship and cruel regime. They will vote the BJP out across Jammu and make Congress victorious. Lal Singh, Cong candidate, Basholi
Although Singh is in a four-way contest with BJP’s Darshan Kumar, PDP’s Yoginder Singh, and BSP’s Pankaj Kumar, the real battle is expected to be between the BJP and the Congress.
“It’s a direct contest between the BJP and the Congress. For Lal Singh, it’s a tough challenge to bring the seat back to the Congress after 20 years. For the BJP, it’s a test to achieve a hat-trick on this seat,” said political expert Vikas Kumar.
Lal Singh has lost three consecutive Lok Sabha elections to Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh in 2014, 2019, and 2024. During the last Lok Sabha election, the Union minister secured a lead of 14,000 votes on the Basholi segment, leaving Lal Singh with an uphill task to retain the seat, which he won in 2014.
“It’s a tough contest for Singh, especially with two other contenders from the Rajput community, which constitutes 60 per cent of the population here,” Kumar said.
“People are frustrated with the L-G administration and the BJP government. They want an end to this BJP’s dictatorship and cruel regime. They will vote the BJP out across Jammu and make the Congress victorious. I will win this seat and help the Congress form a coalition government in J&K,” said Lal Singh, who is campaigning door-to-door in the remote, mountainous areas of the constituency.
His main competition is with 48-year-old businessman Darshan Kumar from the BJP. Kumar, who is currently the district president, also belongs to the Rajput community. Basholi’s 60 per cent Thakur community plays a crucial role in deciding the outcome, which is why both the Congress and the BJP have fielded Rajput candidates.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Kumar has intensified his campaign with door-to-door outreach, corner meetings, and public rallies. “We are confident of winning the seat, and the BJP will form the first government in Jammu and Kashmir. We are seeking votes for the development drive initiated by PM Modi,” said Darshan Kumar.
Meanwhile, voters are busy discussing the contest between new challengers and seasoned politicians.
