National Conference names three Rajya Sabha candidates for J&K

Srinagar: The ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Friday announced its nominees for three of the four Rajya Sabha seats due for elections and said that discussions are going on over the remaining one seat.

The elections, scheduled for October 24, will fill four Rajya Sabha seats from J&K that have remained vacant since February 2021 as there was no elected assembly in J&K till October 2024, necessary for the Rajya Sabha polls. Since then the ruling alliance has been demanding that the Rajya Sabha elections be held.

NC's general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar announced the names of three candidates-senior leaders Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan and Sajad Kichloo and party treasurer Shammi Oberoi.


Choudhary is an old hand in politics, hailing from Handwara area of northern Kashmir. He served as a minister in the Farooq Abdullah-led government in J&K between 1996-2002. Kichloo is a veteran National Conference leader from Kishtwar of Chenab Valley who lost the assembly election against the BJP's Shagun Parihar by a thin margin. Oberoi shares close ties with the Abdullah family.