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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has revealed eight candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, excluding Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and BL Verma from the listits list. The elections for 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh are slated for October 16, 2026.
The BJP nominees are Dharampal Singh, Radhakant Ojha, Prakash Pal, Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, Priyanka Singh Rawat, Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan and Shruti Gangwar. The list also includes two women—former MP Priyanka Singh Rawat and Shruti Gangwar—along with Dharampal Singh, an OBC leader and minister in the Uttar Pradesh government.
Hardeep Puri, BL Verma Not Renominated
The BJP's latest decision means sitting Rajya Sabha members Hardeep Singh Puri and BL Verma will not be renominated from Uttar Pradesh. Their current terms are due to end in November.
Puri, who serves as Union petroleum and natural gas minister, and Verma, a Union minister and prominent OBC leader, had been among the names considered for another term before the BJP released its final list. Both would need another route into Parliament if they are to continue as ministers after their Rajya Sabha terms end.
The decision also marks a change from expectations earlier in the campaign, when the possibility of their renomination had been discussed within political circles.
Why Eight Rajya Sabha Seats Are Important
Ten Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh are going to polls. Eight of the outgoing seats were held by BJP members, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) held one each. One additional seat became vacant after former Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma resigned from the Rajya Sabha following his appointment as Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Based on the current strength of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, the BJP-led alliance may win eight seats, while the SP, with Congress support, can secure two. The SP has already named Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani as its candidates.
Rajya Sabha Poll Schedule
The Election Commission's schedule declares October 6 as the last date for filing nominations, followed by scrutiny on October 7 and withdrawal of candidature by October 9. Polling will take place on October 16 from 9 am to 4 pm, with counting slated for the same day.
The election posses added political significance because Uttar Pradesh is due to hold its Assembly election next year.