BJP announces candidates for upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh
New Delhi, June 8
The Central Election Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday announced its list of candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, as well as the biennial Legislative Council elections in Karnataka for 2026.
For the Rajya Sabha elections, the BJP has nominated Mahesh Kewat from Madhya Pradesh and Prof Dr M Nagaraja from Karnataka.
In the Karnataka Legislative Council biennial elections, the party has selected Lingaraj Patil and Raghu Kautilya as its candidates.
Meanwhile, political activity intensified across the country as candidates vying for seats in the Upper House of Parliament officially filed their nominations, with the deadline for filing nominations for the upcoming biennial Rajya Sabha elections fast approaching.
The elections, scheduled for June 18, will see a contest for 24 seats across ten states, setting the stage for a significant recalibration of the legislative body.
The Election Commission had on June 1 issued a notification for biennial elections for the 24 seats. The last date of filing nominations is June 8.
The 24 seats include four seats each in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, three seats each in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, two seats in Jharkhand, and one seat each in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Meghalaya.
Notification was also issued for the Rajya Sabha bypoll for a seat each in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
From the BJP camp, party national general secretary Tarun Chugh and party leader Rajneesh Agrawal officially filed their nominations from Madhya Pradesh.
The filing process took place in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
— ANI
Reader Comments
24 seats across 10 states... this is a big deal for the Upper House. Rajasthan and MP have three seats each, which could shift the balance. I'm curious about the bypolls in Maharashtra, TN, and Odisha—those might be the real battlegrounds. Wait and watch!
Looks like BJP is consolidating its presence in the Rajya Sabha. But isn't it concerning that only 10 states have seats up for election? Some regions are left out. Also, with the last date for nominations being today, there's a mad rush. Hope all parties field qualified candidates. 🗳️
Honestly, Rajya Sabha elections need more transparency. These nominations feel like party-internal decisions rather than public choice. Mahesh Kewat and Nagaraja might be good, but what about independent thinkers? The Upper House should have diverse voices, not just party loyalists. Just my two paise.
Big move by BJP, especially in Karnataka and MP. Prof Dr Nagaraja seems like a strong pick—academic expertise can add value to debates. But I hope the party ensures these candidates actually participate actively in Rajya Sabha discussions. Many times, nominated members become silent spectators. Let's see!
The Legislative Council seats in Karnataka—Lingaraj Patil and Raghu Kautilya—are interesting. Both from different backgrounds, I assume. But let's be real: these elections are often a formality. The real power lies in the Lok Sabha. Still, good to see the process in motion. #Politics
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.