Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up to speak at a significant rally in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, in support of Jitendra Singh's candidacy for re-election to the Lok Sabha. Reports indicate that the event is anticipated to draw a massive crowd of over two lakh attendees. This visit marks Modi's third trip to the union territory this year, following previous appearances in the capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir on February 20 and March 7.
Jitendra Singh, the BJP candidate seeking re-election, shared his excitement about the upcoming rally, noting the enthusiastic anticipation of those waiting to hear Modi speak. A comprehensive security setup has been established for the event, with security advisories issued for attendees and an increased presence of security personnel along key routes and junctions. Highlighting the security concerns related to the use of drones for potential threats, authorities are prioritizing stringent security measures to safeguard against any untoward incidents at the rally.
The political landscape in Udhampur has been amplified by discussions around the abrogation of Article 370, featuring prominently in the election campaign for the Lok Sabha seat. The race for the seat has taken on a triangular dynamic, with the DPAP nominating G M Saroori and the Congress fielding Choudhary Lal Singh as contenders against Jitendra Singh. In the 2019 elections, Jitendra Singh emerged victorious over the Congress candidate, Vikramaditya Singh, while securing a significant margin of victory against former Union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the 2014 elections.