​SRINAGAR 28 Sep(KNB): Sources within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have indicated that the party is poised to nominate former SMC counsellor Arif Raja, a key leader from the Kashmir Valley, for the single Rajya Sabha seat it is assured of winning in the upcoming polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently announced that polling for the four vacant Rajya Sabha seats from J&K will be held on October 24, a development that follows the recently concluded Assembly elections in the Union Territory.
Arif Raja, who has held positions such as District General Secretary of Srinagar and State Secretary for the J&K BJP unit, is reportedly a top choice. His potential nomination is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to give representation to a leader from the Valley who has been actively work.
Raja had also contested the recent J&K Assembly elections from the Eidgah constituency in Srinagar.
The Rajya Sabha polls are being held nearly four years after the seats fell vacant due to the retirement of members, a delay attributed to the absence of a Legislative Assembly in the erstwhile state and then the Union Territory.(KNB)