RS Polls: Candidate to be decided after Rahul Gandhi’s return, says Karra

Srinagar, Oct 08: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Wednesday said deliberations on the party’s Rajya Sabha nominee will only begin once Rahul Gandhi returns from abroad, stressing that the final decision rests with the central leadership and not the state unit.

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Karra dismissed speculation around potential Congress candidates, saying, “no formal discussion has taken place” either within the party or with alliance partner National Conference.

He said the reports that there are consultations going on for nominations of RS seats were “purely speculative”.

“Until Rahul Ji and the central leadership take a call on this, it’s just narrative-building. Everybody has a right to claim candidature, but finally it is the high command that decides,” Karra said.

The JKPCC Chief also made it clear that even on Assembly by-polls, the state leadership’s opinion may be sought, but the call will eventually be taken by the Congress high command.

He added that any consensus formula on candidate selection with the NC “is yet to be discussed”.

Karra, while underlining that Congress was not rigid about names, also took a swipe at media-driven speculation. “Much of what is being said is just TRP-driven build-up,” he said.