LS candidates to be announced by BJP Parliamentary Board: Ashok Koul

Srinagar, Mar 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to announce candidates for the three Lok Sabha constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir through its parliamentary board, a senior party leader said here on Sunday.

"The decision regarding candidates is made by the parliamentary board, chaired by Prime Minister Modi. Since the elections in Kashmir are scheduled for later phases, we have ample time to finalise our candidates. As of now, the party has announced candidates for approximately 250 constituencies only," said BJP general secretary (J&K) Ashok Koul during a press conference in Srinagar.

When asked about the BJP's stance on supporting the grand alliance emerging in Kashmir, Koul said that the BJP would field its candidates in all three valley seats.

"We are committed to contesting all three seats and are not inclined to support any alliance. The formation of alliances is a prerogative of other political groups. There have been numerous alliances across the country, and we do not intend to impede anyone," he said.

Koul reiterated that BJP members would adhere to the decision of the parliamentary board regarding the candidate selection process.

Speculation is rife that the BJP might opt not to field candidates in the Kashmir Lok Sabha constituencies and instead back a joint candidate from an anti-National Conference and anti-People's Democratic Party front.

Reports suggest that the Democratic Party of Ghulam Nabi Azad and the Apni Party of Altaf Bukhari are considering a pre-poll alliance for these seats.