By: Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Oct 12 (KINS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates for the three Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir—Sat Sharma (CA), Rakesh Mahajan, and Dr. Ali Mohammad Mir—are scheduled to file their nomination papers tomorrow at the Civil Secretariat (J&K Assembly), Srinagar.
News agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) reported that the candidates will be accompanied by 28 BJP MLAs, BJP General Secretary (Org) J&K Shri Ashok Koul, and the state party leadership, marking an important step in the BJP’s preparations for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
On Saturday, the party held a crucial meeting in Srinagar, attended by all 28 MLAs.
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, told KINS, “The main agenda was to plan for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Our Parliamentary Board has announced three candidates, whose nominations will be submitted tomorrow. This meeting was important to decide our strategy and ensure our candidates win.”
Earlier on Saturday, the BJP had announced its nominees for the upcoming elections to four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled for October 24.
The Election Commission of India has issued three separate notifications for the polls. Based on the current assembly composition, the National Conference-Congress alliance has an advantage on three seats, while the BJP is positioned strongly for one.
However, the BJP’s decision to field candidates for three seats is expected to intensify political competition. The party is likely to launch an outreach campaign to seek support from MLAs of other parties to strengthen its chances.
Earlier, on Friday, the National Conference announced its three nominees for the Rajya Sabha elections. (KINS)
