REASI, SEPT 21: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Assembly constituency in Reasi district has turned into a high-stakes battleground for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it faces significant challenges due to internal strife and voter resentment ahead of the September 25 polls.
Following a surprising defeat in Ayodhya, a key stronghold of Hindutva politics, the BJP is now grappling with infighting, with seven candidates in the fray. The main contest is shaping up between BJP’s Baldev Raj Sharma, Congress’s Bhupinder Singh, and independent candidates Jugal Kishore and Sham Singh.
Sham Singh, a 52-year-old candidate backed by Katra’s influential Baridari community, has emerged as a dark horse in the race. The Baridari, comprising around 15,000 voters, has been vocal about its demands for job reservations in the Shrine Board and scholarships for its children in higher education. Singh, who has gained significant support, told Kashmir News Trust (KNT) that the Shrine Board has neglected the Baridari community and that it’s time for a change.
In addition to the Baridari, the Yuva Rajput Sabha, a prominent local group, has also thrown its weight behind Sham Singh, further strengthening his candidacy.
The BJP’s internal troubles became evident when the party initially nominated Reasi district president Rohit Dubey, only to withdraw his nomination hours later and replace him with former MLA Baldev Raj Sharma. This sudden change sparked protests among party workers, many of whom vowed to vote against the official BJP candidate.
A senior BJP leader admitted that infighting and resentment have seriously undermined the party’s chances. “We’re trying to minimize the damage, but it’s an uphill task,” he said.
Sensing growing discontent among the voters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally and led a roadshow in Katra. However, local sources revealed that even Modi’s presence has not swayed the Baridari community in favor of the BJP’s official candidate.
Meanwhile, former MLA and independent candidate Jugal Kishore remains popular among voters, while Congress candidate Bhupinder Singh is working hard to capitalize on the BJP’s internal divisions. Singh expressed confidence in his campaign, stating, “The people of SMVD constituency are seeking change. We’ll provide a strong alternative to the BJP’s failed promises.”
With a multi-cornered contest in play, the election outcome has become increasingly difficult to predict. A BJP supporter acknowledged the strength of independent candidate Sham Singh, saying, “It’s not easy for the party to win this seat. The competition is tough, and Sham Singh’s position is very strong on the ground.”
The constituency will head to the polls on September 25.
