Doctor fails to rid segment of all its ills
MIXED BAG Even as a slew of projects came to the constituency during his tenure, electors complain he spent most of the time in Delhi; two medical colleges, an engineering college and a biotech park figure among his achievements
JAMMU: Loquacious and at times laconic, the political fortunes of this 62-year-old doctor propelled during the Amarnath land row agitation in 2008 when J&K saw a vertical split between the people of Kashmir and Jammu regions.
During the turmoil, Dr Singh, being a good orator, emerged as a ‘strong’ voice of Jammu region and thus began his political journey. He was the chief spokesman of the state BJP before being elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014, defeating ‘lucky mascot’ of the Congress, Ghulam Nabi Azad, by 60,976 votes.
A confidante of PM Modi, Singh claims he got various developmental projects to the state, particularly his constituency.
The inauguration of ₹150-crore 1,210metre Keerian-gandial bridge over the Ravi river in Kathua has benefitted over 2.2-lakh people of Kathua and Pathankot as it has reduced the distance between the two cities from 45km to 8.6km.
The MP has promised six new bridges for the border district of Kathua. Inking of Shahpur Kandi project agreement with Punjab was a long pending demand of the farmers, which the electors say became a reality due to Jitendra’s efforts. The Centre has declared the Shahpur Kandi dam as the national project and it will make Kathua region surplus in food grain production.
Farooq Abdullah, NC, Srinagar
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Upcoming Kathua Biotech Park may also be a game-changer, as it may attract the youth who will get avenues for research, livelihood and employment.
Construction of 1,100 toilets on the international border, implementation of ₹10-crore Jammu Kashmir Arogya Gram Yojna, war memorial at Reasi and Dreamland Park in Kathua are some other projects that were implemented
OPPONENT BUSTS MP’S CLAIMS
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party veteran Prof Bhim Singh, who was third in the 2014 elections, has a different take on Dr Jitendra Singh’s performance. “He did nothing that can be recognised as an achievement. He was loyal to the PM and the only achievement is that he spent five years at the PM’S 7 Race Course residence,” said Bhim Singh. He also blamed the MP for the presence of 23,000 illegal immigrants from Myanmar in Jammu.
“Ifbjpsaysthattheywerebroughtand settledbythecongressthenwhatrestricted the BJP to deport them?” he added. AGE: 62 PARTY: BJP, QUALIFICATION: MBBS
POSITIONS HELD: Minister of state in the PM’S Office
ELECTORAL RECORD: Was spokesperson of state BJP.
HIGH POINT: Getting elected for the first time to Lok Sabha in 2014 LS polls when he defeated the ‘lucky mascot’ of the Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad by a margin of 60,976.
LOW POINT: Though the Union minister didn’t court any controversy, on November 2, 2018, he had to face the anger of people in Kishtwar town following killing of BJP leader Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet Parihar.
Bhim Singh said, “Earlier guns used to roar on the borders of Kashmir, the same is happening in Jammu now. Violence and terrorism have increased. These are the achievements of Jitendra and PM Modi. His constituency was 7 Race Course that he nourished very well.”
Earlier guns used to roar on the borders of Kashmir, the same is happening in Jammu now. Violence and terrorism have increased. These are the achievements of Jitendra and PM Modi. His constituency was 7 Race Course that he nourished very well.
BHIM SINGH, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party
VILLAGE ‘ADOPTED’ BY MP STILL IN POOR SHAPE
“Leave aside tall claims of infrastructure development in general, Saddal village adopted by him to be developed as a model hamlet tells a woeful tale even today,” said Ram Parkash, a villager. The entire village was buried in a landslide due to torrential rains in 2014, killing 36 villagers. Singh, however, denied having ever ‘adopted’ the village.
Sanjay Singh of Kathua said the rape and murder of a minor will also spoil the prospects of the BJP, which despite being an ally with the PDP, could not get a CBI probe ordered.
On November 2, 2018, the MP had to face the anger of people in Kishtwar town after the killing of brothers Anil Parihar and Ajeet Parihar. Angry locals confronted him posing tough questions, saying he was visiting them for the first time since he got elected.