Bhopal, October 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha by-election from Madhya Pradesh, accompanied by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state BJP President Hemant Khandelwal.
Puri reached the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha premises around 11.30 a.m. to complete the nomination formalities. Before filing his papers, he paid obeisance at a gurdwara and also visited Karuna Dham Ashram in Bhopal, where he sought the blessings of Gurudev Sudesh Shandilya Maharaj.
The BJP had announced Puri as its candidate for the by-election on October 28. The seat fell vacant following the resignation of Union Minister L. Murugan from the Upper House on October 13, despite his term originally being scheduled to continue until April 2030.
State Minister Krishna Gaur had signed as the proposer for Puri’s candidature at the BJP office on Friday.
Polling for the by-election is scheduled for November 12. The BJP, which enjoys a comfortable majority in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, is considered well-positioned to retain the seat.
The electoral arithmetic has drawn attention, particularly as Congress MLA Mukesh Malhotra will not be able to participate in the voting, reducing the effective strength of the Assembly to 229. The exact quota required for victory will be determined under the applicable election rules. The position of Bina MLA Nirmala Sapre, who has been associated with both parties in different contexts, is also being closely watched.
Meanwhile, police took preventive action against several Youth Congress leaders in Bhopal ahead of Puri’s nomination amid expectations of protests.
Separately, Haripal Bihare, a guest faculty member from Betul, is reportedly seeking support from legislators to contest the by-election. He has claimed that members of both the BJP and Congress have assured him of backing.
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