Srinagar: With Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu & Kashmir scheduled for October 24, political parties are preparing to announce the names of their candidates.

Sources said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to finalize its candidate (s) later today. “The names of the candidate (s) are likely to be announced today,” they said, adding that former state president Ravinder Raina has emerged as the frontrunner.

Others in the race include Sunil Sethi (chief spokesman J&K BJP unit), Nirmal Singh (former deputy chief minister) and Sat Sharma (state president).

It is still unclear whether the BJP will field only one candidate for the third seat-where a combined election will be held for two seats-or contest the other two seats as a symbolic challenge to the ruling NC-led alliance.

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