The Udhampur (East) Election: A Close Look at Pawan Khajuria’s Loss

The recent election in Udhampur (East) featured a fierce contest between BJP’s Ranbir Singh Pathania and independent candidate Pawan Khajuria . Despite Khajuria’s passionate campaign and strong emotional appeal, he ultimately lost by a margin of 2,349 votes, prompting questions about what went wrong.

The Emotional Appeal That Fell Short

Pawan Khajuria was able to garner considerable support by tapping into local sentiments and emotions. His rallies were well-attended, and many believed he had a real shot at winning the seat. However, the high expectations did not match the reality of the election results.

The Brahmin Card

A significant tactic used by Khajuria’s supporters was the strategic invocation of the Brahmin card. While this approach may have resonated with certain voter segments, it also alienated others, especially among the educated demographic. Many voters today are moving past caste-based politics, looking for candidates who can tackle broader issues and foster community unity rather than division.

Backlash from Party Criticism

Khajuria’s team was outspoken in their criticism of the BJP, often making derogatory comments about the party. This tactic backfired, particularly among loyal BJP supporters(especially silent voters) who felt their allegiance was being challenged. Despite Khajuria’s efforts to express his continued support for the BJP, the negative campaigning likely created a divide that discouraged many from casting their votes for him.

Ambitions of becoming a Minister: A Strategic Misstep

A crucial moment in the campaign occurred when one of Khajuria’s close aides suggested that, if elected, he would join the National Conference government and seek a ministerial role. This remark, which made headlines, was effectively used by RS Pathania against him. It portrayed Khajuria as someone more focused on personal ambition than on serving his constituents, which likely turned undecided voters away from him.

Arrogance and Over-Eagerness

The way Khajuria’s close aides acted made people think they were arrogant. Their too-excited speeches might have seemed pushy making it look like they thought winning was a sure thing. This behaviour could have pushed away possible supporters who like their leaders to be humble and easy to talk to.

Conclusion

To wrap up in the end caste politics, negative campaigning, and bad planning cost Pawan Khajuria. What many thought would be a win turned into a lesson about the need to appeal to different voters, keep the party loyal, and stay humble in politics. If these things had been handled better, Udhampur(East) might have seen a very different result—one that could have put Khajuria in the minister’s seat his close aides wanted.