The BJP on Thursday announced Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha byelection in Madhya Pradesh, scheduled for November 12.The election will fill the seat vacated by former Union minister L Murugan, who resigned from the Rajya Sabha and the Union Council of Ministers on October 14 to focus on strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Votes will be counted on the evening of polling.In a statement, the BJP said its central election committee had cleared Puri's candidature for the byelection.Puri, 74, is currently a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh.
His term in the Upper House was due to end on November 25. Murugan served as minister of state for parliamentary affairs and information and broadcasting before his resignation.
His Rajya Sabha term was scheduled to continue until April 2, 2030.Rajya Sabha members are elected by members of state legislative assemblies. As the BJP is in power in Madhya Pradesh, its nominee is expected to have a smooth contest in the byelection.
Puri will contest the November 12 byelection for the remainder of the term vacated by Murugan, with counting set to take place after voting concludes on the same day.Earlier this month, Puri was among the seven outgoing MPs dropped from the BJP's Rajya Sabha list for Uttar Pradesh, fuelling speculation about a possible Cabinet reshuffle in the coming days.- Ends