New Delhi/Alive News: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday named Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh. The seat fell vacant after former Union Minister L. Murugan resigned from the Upper House.
The Election Commission of India announced the by-election schedule on October 22. Murugan’s resignation took effect on October 14, 2026, although his Rajya Sabha term was originally scheduled to end on April 2, 2030.
Rajya Sabha Bypoll Schedule
According to the Election Commission, the notification for the by-election was issued on October 26. The last date for filing nominations is November 2, while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on November 3.
Candidates can withdraw their nominations until November 5. Voting is scheduled for November 12, from 9 am to 4 pm, and counting will take place at 5 pm on the same day.
The election process is scheduled to be completed by November 16, 2026.
Puri’s Current Rajya Sabha Term Nears End
The BJP’s decision comes after the party did not include Puri in its list of candidates for the Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. His current term in the Rajya Sabha is scheduled to end on November 25, 2026.
Puri’s nomination makes him the BJP’s candidate for the vacant Madhya Pradesh seat. The by-election will determine who fills the position left vacant by Murugan’s resignation.
