National Conference (NC) candidates on Monday submitted their nomination papers for all four seats for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for October 24.
The NC decided to contest all four vacant seats after its alliance partner Congress refused to field its candidate on the 4th seat that it considered ‘unsafe’ due to the strength of BJP.
Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan (former minister), Sajad Kitchloo (former Minister of State), and Shammi Oberoi (NC Treasurer) submitted their nomination papers earlier in the day.
However Imran Nabi Dar, party’s state spokesperson, was the last to file his nomination.
“I have filed my nomination papers,” Dar confirmed.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said “The last minute change happened because the Congress decided not to field their candidate. We had kept one seat for them, but now we’ll contest all four”.
However, the Congress abstained as the NC candidates in a festive atmosphere filed their nomination papers.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh accompanied the J&K BJP President Sat Sharma, Rakesh Mahajan and Dr. Ali Mohammad Mir for filing their papers. A large number of BJP activists were present.