New Delhi, October 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday named Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh, after excluding him from its list of nominees for Uttar Pradesh.
In a statement, the BJP said its Central Election Committee had approved Puri’s candidature for the by-election.
The announcement follows the Election Commission of India’s decision to hold a by-election to fill a Rajya Sabha vacancy from Madhya Pradesh. The seat fell vacant following the resignation of L. Murugan, whose term was scheduled to continue until April 2, 2030.
Puri, 74, is the only Sikh minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet. He was previously elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, and his current term is due to end in November.
The BJP has sent Puri to the Upper House twice. He has also contested Lok Sabha elections unsuccessfully.
Earlier this month, the party announced eight candidates for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, seeking to balance caste representation with organisational experience. The list included two women candidates, reflecting the party’s stated emphasis on women’s empowerment and women-led development.
Puri’s omission from the Uttar Pradesh list drew attention. Union Minister B.L. Verma and all other sitting MPs were also left out of the nominations.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has scheduled the Madhya Pradesh by-election to fill the vacancy in the Upper House and ensure timely representation.
According to the announced schedule, the last date for filing nominations is November 2, followed by scrutiny on November 3. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until November 5.
Polling will take place on November 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with counting scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on the same day.
The entire election process is to be completed by November 16.
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