NC likely to Field Farooq Abdullah, Choudhary Ramzan, Sajjad Kichloo; BJP may Pick Nirmal Singh or Ravinder Raina
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar: DD, National Conference is likely to field its president Dr Farooq Abdullah as a candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, while BJP is considering names of senior leaders including a former deputy chief minister and a former party president.
Sources keeping eye on the development said that National Conference is likely to field its president Dr Farooq Abdullah, former minister and party stalwart Choudhary Ramzan, and senior leader from Kishtwar Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo as candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
According to sources, the party is likely to field these leaders as candidates however sources said that the party high command will sit and hold internal consultations and may announce the names officially in the coming days.
The inclusion of Dr Farooq Abdullah is being seen as a significant move to strengthen the party’s representation at the national level.
On the other hand, BJP is likely to put forward either former deputy chief minister Dr Nirmal Singh or the party’s former state president Ravinder Raina.
Sources within BJP said that, the final decision, will be taken after deliberations with central leadership, however, most likely Dr Nirmal Singh and Ravinder Raina are likely to be the party candidate, they said.
Jammu and Kashmir sends four members to the Rajya Sabha, all elected by members of the Legislative Assembly.
Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and the subsequent dissolution of the Assembly, J&K has not had any representation in the Rajya Sabha.
The upcoming elections are expected to be the first after the reconstitution of the Assembly, making them crucial for both regional and national parties.
Previously, senior leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Dr Farooq Abdullah, and Mir Mohammad Fayaz represented J&K in the Upper House. Their terms ended following the absence of an Assembly, leaving the seats vacant.
Political observers believe the forthcoming elections will play a decisive role in shaping J&K’s voice in Parliament once again.
Earlier today, Election Commission of India announced the schedule for biennial Rajya Sabha elections from the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, more than four years after the four seats fell vacant.
The official announcement for the elections will be made on October 6. The last date for filing nominations is October 13, scrutiny will take place on October 14, and voting will be held on October 24 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Counting of votes is scheduled the same day at 5:00 PM. (KNC)