The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir Unit convened a State Election Committee meeting today at the BJP Headquarters in Jammu to finalize the list of probable candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the region. With just days remaining before the Central Election Committee meeting of the BJP on February 29, the party aimed to select three names for each seat, with a particular focus on key constituencies, including the Anantnag seat.
Chaired by BJP J&K President Ravinder Raina, the meeting saw the participation of key figures, including J&K Incharge Tarun Chugh, MoS PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh, Co-incharge of J&K Ashish Sood, General Secretary (Org) Ashok Koul, former Deputy CMs Dr. Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta, along with party general secretaries Dr. D K Manyal, Sunil Sharma, and Vibodh Gupta. Additionally, Vice President Shakti Raj Parihar and party chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi among others were present. The names finalized during this meeting were submitted to the Parliamentary Board for final decision-making, according to sources.
BJP is expected to follow a similar caste equation to that of 2014 and 2019 to secure victory in both seats. For the Jammu-Reasi Lok Sabha seat, Brahmin candidates are under consideration, including a former state chief, a senior state leader, and a serving police officer. Meanwhile, for the Doda-Udhampur seat, Rajput candidates are being considered, with potential candidates including Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is the sitting MP from the same constituency, a former NC leader who switched sides, and a young leader.
However, a Brahmin face close to RSS is also under consideration. For the Rajouri-Anantnag Seat, BJP is looking towards a local Poonchi candidate. Although BJP J&K President Ravinder Raina has shown interest in contesting, the party high command appears hesitant due to the competitive nature of the seat. Other options being explored include a serving bureaucrat and independent candidates who could potentially sway the tide.
A senior BJP leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, hinted that a stalwart from outside Jammu and Kashmir might also be considered for candidature in the Lok Sabha Polls. “Gone is Article 370; now anyone can contest from here. J&K belongs to everyone; not just a particular family or group,” the leader added, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the political landscape post the Article 370 repeal.