Raman Bhalla From RS Pura: Seeking New Terrains (image: facebook.com/INC.RamanBhalla.jk/)

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) working president Raman Bhalla does not mince his words when it comes to attacking the BJP. He accused the saffron party of prioritising its vested interests over the development and well-being of the people in Jammu & Kashmir.

Congress candidate from RS Pura South, Bhalla, stated Jammu and Kashmir “lost its identity” under the BJP and urged the people to support the grand old party in the fight for the restoration of statehood.

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Bhalla maintains an influential local support in Jammu and Kashmir. His connection with the grassroots has enabled him to survive earlier controversies, especially the 2008 Amarnath Land Row, and then emerge victorious in the Assembly elections from his home constituency, Gandhi Nagar, in the same year.

A law graduate, Bhalla’s political journey started as block president of the Youth Congress in 1979. Before entering mainstream politics, he remained quite active in student politics. In 2002, he contested his maiden polls from Gandhi Nagar and defeated National Conference (NC) candidate Harbans Singh by a margin of 10,493 votes. In 2008, he retained his seat by defeating BJP stalwart Dr Nirmal Singh by 2263 votes.

However, his aim for a hattrick was dismantled by the BJP in the 2014 polls. Bhalla was defeated by Gupta in Gandhi Nagar by a margin of 16,777 votes. While contesting from RS Pura this time, the senior Congress leader promised to focus on development and welfare if elected.

Meanwhile, a tight battle is expected between Raman Bhalla and the BJP’s national secretary, Dr Narinder Singh Raina in the assembly segment. Aside from them, the other candidates in the fray include former minister Choudhary Gharu Ram of the DPAP, Narinder Sharma of the PDP, Pavneet Kour of the J&K Apni Party, Gurdev Raj of the BSP, Harpreet Singh of the JD(U), and several independents.

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Traditionally a Congress bastion, the constituency was joined with south Jammu following the 2022 delimitation exercise. Hence, how it will impact the electoral composition is likely to be found out. Besides, the presence of refugee Brahmins may play a decisive role in the winnability factor of candidates.