Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri submitted his nomination papers on Saturday for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election from Madhya Pradesh. The nomination was filed in Bhopal in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, state Bharatiya Janata Party president Hemant Khandelwal, and several prominent party leaders. The move follows the decision taken on Wednesday by the BJP Central Election Committee, which picked Puri as its official candidate for the vacant parliamentary seat.
State Leadership Welcomes Nomination and Highlights Contributions
Following the formal submission, BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal welcomed Puri's candidacy on behalf of the state unit. Khandelwal remarked that during his tenure as a Union Minister, Puri contributed significantly to Madhya Pradesh through several infrastructure initiatives and central gifts. The state party leadership praised his extensive experience in public service, observing that his association with the state's representation in the Upper House would further strengthen regional governance priorities.
Chief Minister Calls Candidacy a Major Festival Gift
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the nomination from the vacant seat as a fortunate development for the state, calling it a major gift ahead of Diwali. Emphasizing Puri's lengthy parliamentary career, the Chief Minister recalled critical initiatives sanctioned during his tenure, including key developments surrounding the Bina refinery and the Smart City project. He also highlighted that nationwide cleanliness assessments under the Swachhata Survekshan commenced under Puri's watch, an initiative through which cities across Madhya Pradesh earned national prominence. Congratulating the nominee, Yadav stated that once elected, Puri's leadership would benefit both the nation and the state.
Vacancy Caused by L. Murugan's Resignation
The by-poll became necessary following the resignation of former Union Minister L. Murugan, which resulted in the seat falling vacant on October 14, 2026. Murugan's term in the Upper House of Parliament was originally scheduled to run until April 2, 2030. Following the vacancy, the Election Commission of India (ECI) released the official schedule for the Madhya Pradesh by-election on October 22 to fill the remainder of the tenure.
Schedule for Voting and Counting
According to the timeline announced by the Election Commission, the deadline to file nominations stands at November 2, 2026, followed by scrutiny of papers on November 3, 2026. Candidates have until November 5, 2026, to withdraw their names. Voting, if required, will take place on November 12 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, with the counting of votes set to commence at 5:00 PM on the same evening. The election authority confirmed that the entire by-poll process will conclude before November 16.
