The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has concluded its selection process for candidates vying for three significant seats in Kashmir, with the list of potential contenders forwarded to the party's head office for consideration by the parliamentary affairs panel.

Reliable sources within the BJP disclosed that the party has identified potential candidates for key constituencies in Kashmir. Darakshan Andrabi, Altaf Thakur, Ashok Bhat, and Arif Raja have emerged as potential contenders for the Central Kashmir Parliamentary seat. Meanwhile, the North Kashmir seat presents three potential candidates: Anwar Khan, Surinder Ambardar, and Fakir Muhammad Khan.

In the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina has expressed his intent to contest. Notably, former National Conference MLC Shehaz Ganai, who recently joined the BJP in New Delhi, is also under consideration. Sources within the BJP speculate that Ganai may secure the party ticket for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, citing her familial legacy and widespread support base.

The J&K BJP leadership remains in close communication with the party's central leadership in New Delhi. A senior BJP leader affirmed that the list of candidates has been submitted to the parliamentary panel for review, with a final decision expected imminently to allow candidates ample time for campaigning.

Expressing confidence, the BJP aims to secure victory in all three Kashmir seats. The recent inclusion of prominent figures has injected renewed vigour into the party, with anticipation of further influential individuals joining in the coming days.

Preparations are also underway for the two seats in Jammu, with candidate selections nearing completion for submission to the BJP's parliamentary affairs panel in New Delhi.

MoS in PMO and incumbent MP, Dr Jitendera Singh is anticipated to be retained for the Kathua-Udhampur Lok Sabha seat. However, for the Jammu seat, there is a possibility of incumbent MP Jugal Kishore being replaced. Former J&K Assembly speaker Kavinder Gupta and Devender Singh Rana are identified as primary contenders for the seat, according to BJP sources.

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SRINAGAR — Dr Shehnaz Ganie, the former member of the Legislative Council in Jammu and Kashmir who hails from Poonch, joined Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), on Monday.

Reports said that Shehnaz Ganie was currently in New Delhi and had already met several top-notch BJP leaders.

Dr Shehnaz Ganie told the news agency KNT that BJP National Secretary Tarun Chug and a Union Minister were present when she formally announced her joining the party in New Delhi.

“BJP does what it says. This party has fulfilled all the promises it made to the people. It gave Pahari Status to the deprived class. BJP worked for the safety of women and the welfare of people all across the country,” she said.

In response to a question, Dr Shehnaz Ganie said that it is a futile exercise to talk about Article 370. “I believe after the Supreme Court verdict, the chapter is closed now. Those political parties who still rake up this issue are agendaless and have nothing to offer to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Dr Shehnaz Ganie said.

National Conference had inducted her as a member of the legislative council and in 2019, she quit the party for the reasons better known to her.

“She left our party over five years ago. It’s wrong to connect with us,” said a National Conference leader, adding that she has nothing to do with the National Conference.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse