BJP Announces Three Candidates for Rajya Sabha Elections in Jammu and Kashmir
New Delhi, Oct 12: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced the names of its three candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to take place on October 24. The party has fielded Sat Pal Sharma, the president of the BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit, along with Ghulam Mohammed Mir and Rakesh Mahajan as its nominees for the four seats that are set to fall vacant.
The Election Commission of India has issued three separate notifications for the polls, paving the way for a contest that is expected to attract significant political attention in the Union Territory. Given the present composition of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the National Conference–Congress alliance is in a stronger position to secure three of the four seats, while the BJP is expected to comfortably retain one.
However, the BJP’s decision to field three candidates despite its limited numerical strength has added an element of intrigue to the upcoming election. Political observers believe that the party is looking to test the unity of the opposition bloc and may reach out to MLAs from other parties to bolster support for its candidates. Sources within the BJP indicated that the leadership is likely to launch an intensive campaign to garner cross-party backing, possibly targeting independent legislators and smaller regional groups.
The move also signals the BJP’s determination to maintain a strong political presence in Jammu and Kashmir’s parliamentary representation and to project confidence ahead of future electoral battles. Party insiders said the decision to nominate Sat Pal Sharma, a senior leader with long-standing grassroots experience, reflects the BJP’s strategy to reinforce its regional leadership and organisational depth.
The announcement comes just two days after the ruling National Conference (NC) declared its own list of three candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls, leaving one seat open for further discussions with its alliance partner, the Congress. The two parties are expected to finalise their joint approach in the coming days, as both sides seek to maximise their representation in the Upper House.
The Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being closely watched, not only for their immediate outcome but also for the political realignments and behind-the-scenes negotiations they may trigger. With the filing of nominations closing on October 13, the contest is shaping up to be a high-stakes political test for all major parties in the newly formed Union Territory.
Political analysts note that the BJP’s move to “force a contest” despite the numbers being against it underscores its desire to assert relevance in the post-Article 370 political landscape and to keep the opposition on its toes. As campaigning intensifies in the coming week, the focus will be on whether the party can secure additional support or whether the NC–Congress alliance will consolidate its advantage in the Upper House race.
