Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The BJP on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) announced Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for upcoming Rajya Sabha byelection from Madhya Pradesh.
The bypoll, to the seat vacated by former Union Minister L. Murugan, is scheduled to be held on November 12
Mr. Murugan, who was Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Information and Broadcasting, had quit the Union Council of Ministers and the Rajya Sabha on October 14. His term was due to end on April 2, 2030.
Mr. Puri, a member of Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, was not renominated by the party when elections were held earlier this month. This led to speculations that he may lose his Cabinet berth as his term would end on November 25, 2026.
As per procedure, counting will be held on the day of polling itself that is November 12. The last date of filing nominations would be November 2 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature would be November 5.
The entire election process would be completed by November 16.
Published – October 28, 2026 02:22 pm IST
