The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to announce its Chief Ministerial candidate for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, KNS has learnt.Sources said that the BJP's parliamentary board, made up some names in which Dr Nirmal Singh, National Executive Member and former President, State Unit of Jammu and Kashmir is the front runner in this race.Sources said that top brass of BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj among others, are expected to meet in next week and will announce the Chief Ministerial candidate of the party for the Jammu and Kashmir.Basically from Doda region Dr Nirmal Singh, has lost a close battle against Lal Singh of Congress from Udhampur- Doda Parliamentary seat in 2009, Madan Lal Sharma from Jammu-Poonch in 2004 and against Raman Bhalla from Gandhi Nagar Assembly seat in 2010, was expected to be repeated again from Udhampur Doda constituency in the recent Lok Sabha elections. But he was upset when BJP preferred Dr Jitendra Singh over him who defeated congress senior leader Gulam Nabi Azad with a huge margin.
Party sources told Kashmir News Service that BJP top leadership in the next few days will also set the roadmap for the forth coming Assembly elections in the Jammu and Kashmir. “A decision on contest from all the seats is likely to be taken by the BJP high command,” sources said and added that the high command will also consider organizational matters and prevailing political situation in the State. Sources said that the BJP’s high command will devise the strategy for the coming Assembly elections in the State and will reiterate its resolve to concentrate on winning 44+ seats. “The Party is eyeing to win 44+ seats in the State and it will concentrate to win all 25 Assembly seats in Jammu region on which the Party had maintained a lead in recently held Lok Sabha elections,” sources said.
Besides, it will try to win four seats in Ladakh region, sources said. “The BJP will also try to reach out various groups in Kashmir Valley and field prospective candidates to win as many seats from the region as possible to cross the magic mark of 44+ needed for formation of next Government in the State,” sources said.
Sources further said that the party will send senior Party leaders in the State in last week of this month who will hold further deliberations with the Party men. “We will take all steps to win the elections in the State, said senior BJP leader,” adding besides Prime Minister the Union Ministers will visit the State to strengthen the Party. (KNS)