The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in five states, fielding Tarun Chugh from Madhya Pradesh. The list of nominees, however, did not include the names of Union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian, whose terms in the Upper House are set to expire on June 21.
Candidates Across States
The BJP has put forward candidates for the biennial elections to the Council of States from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Tarun Chugh, the party's national general secretary, will contest from Madhya Pradesh. In Uttar Pradesh, the party has renominated several sitting members, while in Bihar, it has fielded a mix of incumbents and new faces.
Notable Absences
The exclusion of Union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian from the candidate list has raised eyebrows. Both ministers are currently serving as Rajya Sabha members, but their terms end on June 21. The BJP has not provided a reason for their omission, though speculation suggests that the party may be reshuffling its representation in the Upper House.
Ravneet Singh Bittu, a prominent leader from Punjab, was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2020. George Kurian, a senior leader from Kerala, has been a member since 2018. Their absence from the list indicates that the BJP is likely to field new candidates from these states in future elections.
Election Schedule
The Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled to be held on June 10, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is May 30, while scrutiny will take place on May 31. The elections are crucial for the BJP as it seeks to maintain its majority in the Upper House.
Political analysts view the candidate selection as a strategic move by the BJP to strengthen its presence in key states ahead of the 2027 general elections. Tarun Chugh's candidature from Madhya Pradesh is seen as an effort to consolidate the party's position in the state, where it has a strong organizational base.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have criticized the BJP for not fielding candidates from minority communities. The Congress party accused the BJP of ignoring representation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in its list.
