New Delhi, October 28: The BJP has named Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-election from Madhya Pradesh. His nomination was cleared by the party’s Central Election Committee.
The by-election will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Union minister L. Murugan. The seat became vacant on October 14, 2026, while his term was due to continue until April 2, 2030. Whoever wins the election will serve the remaining tenure.
The Election Commission announced the schedule on October 22, and the notification was issued on October 26. Candidates have until November 2 to submit their nomination papers. Scrutiny will take place on November 3, and the deadline for withdrawing nominations is November 5.
Polling, if required, will be held on November 12 from 9 am to 4 pm. Counting is scheduled to begin at 5 pm that day. The election process is to be completed before November 16.
Puri, a former diplomat, currently heads the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The nomination gives him an opportunity to represent Madhya Pradesh in the Upper House for the remainder of the vacant seat’s term.
