Congress Withdraws, BJP and NC Announce Nominees
In a dramatic development for Jammu and Kashmir’s legislative politics, the Congress party has officially decided not to field a candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, citing lack of a “safe seat” within the alliance. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National Conference (NC) have both finalized their candidates for four Rajya Sabha seats, with polling scheduled for October 24, 2025.
Details of Party Strategies and Alliances
- The National Conference has nominated three candidates: Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Sajad Kichloo, and Shammi Oberoi, with discussions ongoing about a possible fourth candidate after Congress exited.
- The BJP has named Sat Pal Sharma (former J&K president), Dr. Ali Mohammad Mir (long-time party worker), and Rakesh Mahajan (BJP’s J&K vice-president) as its candidates for three of the four vacant seats.
- Congress declined the offer for one seat, stating it would only contest if a safer seat was available. This led NC to consider fielding a fourth candidate to directly challenge the BJP’s slate.
Electoral Landscape and Voting Dynamics
The ruling alliance—led by the NC and supported by the Congress, PDP, independents, and minor parties—holds a comfortable numerical advantage in the 90-member assembly, particularly for three seats. The BJP, with 28 MLAs, is strongly positioned to secure at least one Rajya Sabha seat, provided voting proceeds along party lines.
The outcome for the fourth seat could still hinge on independent MLAs and smaller parties. The Aam Aadmi Party’s single legislator is currently in jail and will require a court order to participate, further adding to the intrigue.
These four Rajya Sabha seats have remained vacant since February 2021 due to the absence of an elected assembly in J&K. Their imminent filling is seen as significant for shaping J&K’s national representation and governance narrative.
On Monday, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) announced Imran Nabi Dar, the party’s official spokesperson, as its nominee for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat in the region. This announcement follows the decision by the Congress party, part of the state’s ruling coalition, to abstain from nominating a candidate.
The upcoming biennial Rajya Sabha elections, set to fill seats that have been unoccupied since 2021, will be conducted on October 24, 2025. JKNC formally shared the news of Imran Nabi Dar’s candidacy through their verified social media channels.
This strategic nomination by the National Conference aims to strengthen its representation at the national level amid evolving political dynamics within Jammu and Kashmir.
