A festive atmosphere enveloped Srinagar as BJP candidates formally filed their nominations for three Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir, cheered on by hundreds of supporters chanting patriotic slogans. The procession to the Legislative Assembly complex included Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO, along with 28 BJP Members of the Legislative Assembly and other key party leaders. The BJP, on October 12, announced its candidates for three of the four available Rajya Sabha positions. The party anticipates a certain victory in one seat owing to its significant presence in the J&K Assembly and is optimistic about impacting the results for other seats. Polling is slated for October 24, 2025.
The BJP’s nominated candidates are Satpal Sharma, a former state president and minister with strong backing from the Jammu region; Rakesh Mahajan, the J&K BJP Vice President, who represents the Rajouri-Poonch area; and Ali Mohammad Mir, a prominent leader from Budgam in the Kashmir valley. Satpal Sharma expressed confidence in securing all three seats, emphasizing their campaign’s focus on inclusive development under the ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ ethos. He also pointed to the positive developmental strides post-Article 370 abrogation in 2019 and reiterated the Prime Minister’s pledge regarding statehood restoration. The four vacancies arose in February 2021 after the terms of incumbent MPs concluded. With 28 BJP MLAs forming part of the 90-member J&K Assembly, the party is guaranteed at least one seat. Their strategy to vie for three seats is expected to heighten the electoral contest. Meanwhile, the ruling National Conference (NC) and its coalition partner, the Congress, have also put forth their candidates. The NC has named Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Shammi Oberoi, and Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo, who are considered frontrunners. However, the Congress has withdrawn from the race, citing concerns about the ‘safety’ of the fourth seat offered by the NC, introducing an element of uncertainty for non-BJP votes in that specific contest.