The National Conference (NC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are set to formally enter the fray for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, with three candidates from each party scheduled to file their nomination papers on Monday.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the nomination process will take place at the Legislative Assembly complex in Srinagar.
A senior BJP leader confirmed that the party’s candidates will assemble at the party office at 10:00 AM before proceeding to the Returning Officer to submit their papers. Senior BJP leaders and party members are expected to accompany the candidates.
Sat Pal Sharma is slated to contest the seat where the BJP enjoys a numerical advantage, while Dr. Ali Muhammad Dar and Rakesh Mahajan will be fielded against the first two seats, which the ruling alliance is expected to win comfortably.
Meanwhile, NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar informed KNO that the party’s candidates-Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Shamim Oberoi, and Sajad Kichloo-will file their nomination papers at 12:00 PM. All NC MLAs will accompany the candidates during the filing.
The National Conference had initially reserved the fourth seat for its alliance partner, the Congress. However, following a day-long deliberation at the party headquarters in Srinagar, the Congress declined the offer, citing the seat’s risky nature and opting out of the contest.
The nomination process began on October 6, following the issuance of election notices. The Rajya Sabha polls are scheduled to be held on October 24 to fill four seats that have remained vacant since February 2021—(KNO)
