4 NC, 3 BJP candidates file papers for Rajya Sabha poll in J&K

On the final day of nominations for the four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir, the ruling National Conference (NC) filed nominations for all four seats, while the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded three candidates. The Congress has opted out of the contest.

These are the first Rajya Sabha elections in the Union Territory after more than four and a half years, following the issuance of three separate notifications by the Election Commission to fill the vacancies. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 16.

From the NC, senior leaders Chowdhury Mohammad Ramzan, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, and Shammi Oberoi submitted their nomination papers today. Later in the day, with the Congress formally staying out of the race, the NC announced that its spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar would be the nominee for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat.

On the BJP’s side, party’s J&K president Sat Pal Sharma, along with Ali Mohammad Mir and Rakesh Mahajan, filed their nominations in Srinagar. Sharma was accompanied by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, several MLAs, and other party leaders.

Speaking to reporters, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP has a clear roadmap for the elections and would make all efforts to win three of the four seats. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, endorsing the BJP nominees, described them as “experienced and worthy of being members of the Upper House.” He added, “We are confident that all of them will make it to the Rajya Sabha.”

In the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the National Conference is widely expected to secure at least three Rajya Sabha seats, while the BJP could potentially win one.