NC names three candidates for RS, no decision on fourth seat

The National Conference (NC) on Friday announced three candidates for the Rajya Sabha poll in Jammu and Kashmir indicating that the fourth seat might be left open for its alliance partner Congress that has so far not announced any candidate.

In a press conference in Srinagar addressed by general secretary of NC Ali Mohammad Sagar, the party announced Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Shammi Oberoi and Sajjad Kichloo as its candidates. The candidates represent different communities and regional aspirations of the people of J&K, the party said.

Sagar said that his party was in talks with the Congress for the fourth seat on which the alliance is expected to field a Hindu face from Jammu.

While Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan is a senior leader of the party and former minister of J&K, Shammi Oberoi is the treasurer for the NC. Sajjad Kichloo is a former minister of J&K and was defeated by BJP candidate in the Assembly election held last year.

Sagar said that the three names were decided after deliberations with NC president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah.

On the other hand, infighting has intensified among the Congress aspirants for Rajya Sabha seat. Many insiders say that the name of a former minister is under consideration. However, others say that that the said leader lost in last Assembly election so the party’s candidate should be a fresh face from Jammu.

“There are many senior leaders from Congress who have remained loyal to the party for decades but have been given limited opportunities. Those leaders who have lost elections and have little vote-base now should be adjusted elsewhere and should not be the candidate for Rajya Sabha,” said a Congress leader who did not want to be named.

Three separate notifications were issued recently by the Election Commission of India to fill the four vacant Rajya Sabha seats in J&K after a gap of over four-and-a-half years. While the nominations will be filed till October 13, the poll is scheduled to be held on October 24.

J & K