SRINAGAR: While the Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the schedule for the Rajya Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir, intense lobbying has commenced among political parties for berths in the Upper House of Parliament.
Quoting sources, KNO reported that NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah’s candidature is almost certain, but several senior leaders within the party are vying for Rajya Sabha membership.
Based on party strength in the Legislative Assembly, the National Conference (NC)-led alliance, which enjoys the support of 54 members, is expected to secure three seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with 28 MLAs, is likely to win one seat.
It has been reported that Sajad Kichloo, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, and Aga Mehmood are among the frontrunners.
Sajad Kichloo lost to Sunil Sharma in the 2014 polls and to Shagun Parihar in the 2024 elections. Similarly, Sadhotra was defeated by BJP candidates in the 2014 and 2024 polls from the Jammu North and Marh constituencies. Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan lost to Sajad Gani Lone in both the 2014 and 2024 elections and failed to secure a lead for NC candidates in the Handwara segment during the 2014, 2019, and 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Aga Mehmood, a prominent Shia leader, played a crucial role in the NC’s victories in areas with a significant Shia population.
According to sources, the Congress, which has six MLAs, is also seeking one Rajya Sabha seat from the ruling coalition’s quota. “The Congress high command is likely to push for one seat from the NC as part of their pre-poll arrangement with the party,” a source stated.
Meanwhile, the BJP, with 28 MLAs, is expected to win one seat. Former deputy chief ministers Kavinder Gupta and Nirmal Singh, along with former party president Ravinder Raina, are seen as the top contenders. Notably, Kavinder and Nirmal did not contest the 2024 assembly polls, while Raina lost to the NC’s Surinder Choudhary.
