The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday announced the names of three candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in the Union Territory. The party has made Ghulam Mohammad Mir, Rakesh Mahajan and Sat Paul Sharma its candidates.
Satpal Sharma is completing his second term as BJP Jammu and Kashmir President. His first term as state chief of the party lasted from 2015 to 2018. He was also part of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s cabinet in 2018.
Rakesh Mahajan is the vice president of the state BJP unit. Ghulam Mohammad Mir was the BJP candidate from Handwara assembly constituency in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections held last year. He had to face defeat from Sajjad Gani Lone of National Conference.
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference announced the names of three candidates. The party has made Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Sajjad Ahmed Kitchlu and Shammi Oberoi its candidates. The decision on the fourth seat is expected in the coming days.
Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said, “Candidates for three Rajya Sabha seats have been decided… Chaudhary Mohammed Ramzan, Sajjad Ahmed Kitchlu and Shammi Oberoi. These three will be our candidates for Rajya Sabha. The candidate for the fourth seat will be announced tomorrow or the day after.”
He also clarified on the news of JKNC President Farooq Abdullah contesting the Rajya Sabha elections. According to Nasir, Farooq Abdullah wants to stay in Jammu and Kashmir for the time being.
On the news of JKNC President Farooq Abdullah contesting the Rajya Sabha elections, Nasir said, “Farooq Saheb has decided that he is needed more in Jammu and Kashmir. We also feel that his suggestions, guidance and experience can be better used here. He also wants to stay in Jammu and Kashmir now.”
Elections for four Rajya Sabha seats will be held on October 24. All four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir are vacant since February 2021 after the retirement of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mir Mohammad Faiyaz, Shamsher Singh and Nazir Ahmed Laway.