Hardeep Puri elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed from Madhya Pradesh
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. His election follows the resignation of L. Murugan and comes amidst political controversy regarding his past associations.
Why it matters
The appointment is politically significant for the BJP ahead of upcoming state elections and marks the resolution of speculation regarding Puri's cabinet position.
Bhopal Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri was on Thursday (November 5, 2026) elected for the Rajya Sabha unopposed from Madhya Pradesh in the byelection for a seat that fell vacant after the resignation of former Union Minister L. Murugan. While the byelection was scheduled for Thursday (November 12, 2026), Mr. Puri’s election was declared on November 5 two days after the nomination papers of two independent candidates, one of them backed by the Congress, were rejected. November 5 was the last date to withdraw nominations. Mr. Puri’s election certificate was received by Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party president Hemant Khandelwal and Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda at the State Legislative Assembly. Mr. Puri was announced the BJP candidate for the byelection on October 28, weeks after Mr. Murugan, whose term was to end in 2030, gave up his membership of the Upper House.
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