BJP Nominates 8 Leaders To Rajya Sabha From UP, Hardeep Puri Not On List
The BJP has announced eight candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, balancing caste representation while excluding several prominent Union ministers. The party aims to secure seven seats with a push for an eighth, while the Samajwadi Party prepares its own candidate list.
Why it matters
This selection reflects the BJP's strategic focus on caste-based electoral math ahead of future assembly polls and indicates a potential cabinet reshuffle at the central level.
The BJP has announced eight names for the coming Rajya Sabha election from Uttar Pradesh, keeping a balance between castes and indicating the possibility of election on at least one seat on October 16. Union minister Hardeep Puri, who was expected to be named, is not on the list, indicating a rejig at the Centre as well. The names of Union Minister of State BL Verma and former Union MinisterSmriti Irani, were expected to be the list, are missing too.The candidates named today include minister state minister Dharampal Singh, lawyer Radhakant Ojha, State OBC Morcha president Prakash Pal, former MP Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, former MP Priyanka Singh Rawat, state General Secretary Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan and Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar's daughter Shruti Gangwar.Ten seats in the state are up for election on October 16.
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