The announcement of biennial elections to 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states has set off candidate-selection exercises within major political parties, with the BJP expected to focus on social and regional balancing as it finalises nominees ahead of the June 18 polls.
The Election Commission has scheduled polling for June 18, with nominations to be filed by June 8. The elections will be held for seats falling vacant in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Rajasthan.
Among the prominent leaders completing their Rajya Sabha terms are Union Ministers George Kurian and Ravneet Singh Bittu, as well as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.
According to party sources, the BJP has already discussed several names during recent consultations and is expected to take final calls in the coming days.
In Punjab’s political landscape, the renomination of Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu is being viewed as almost certain. Currently a Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan, Bittu is seen by the BJP leadership as a key Sikh face and an important part of the party’s strategy to expand its footprint in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Party leaders are understood to be keen on retaining him in Parliament while continuing efforts to strengthen the BJP’s presence in the state.
In Andhra Pradesh, the BJP is learnt to be seeking one Rajya Sabha berth from ally Telugu Desam Party as part of the broader NDA seat-sharing arrangement, although discussions on the issue are still underway.
The elections could also provide a route to the Upper House for several leaders currently outside Parliament. In Manipur, former chief minister N. Biren Singh is being seen as a strong contender for the lone seat falling vacant.
Madhya Pradesh is emerging as one of the key states to watch, with the BJP weighing multiple names for its Rajya Sabha nominees. Among those under consideration are senior leader Narottam Mishra, Dheeraj Pateria, Arvind Bhadoria and former minister Ranjana Baghel. Sources indicated that the party is also considering fielding a tribal leader from the state as part of its broader social outreach strategy.
In Jharkhand, where two Rajya Sabha seats are due for election, the BJP has reportedly forwarded a panel of names to the central leadership. Party sources said former Union Minister Arjun Munda and BJP leader Asha Lakra are among the names under discussion. However, the party is understood to require support from additional MLAs to comfortably secure the election of its nominee.
According to the Election Commission’s schedule, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka will elect four Rajya Sabha members each, while Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will elect three members each. Jharkhand will elect two members, while Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram will elect one member each.
With nominations set to begin shortly, attention is now turning to the BJP’s candidate list, which is expected to offer clues to the party’s political and social strategy ahead of a series of Assembly elections and organisational changes expected over the coming months.
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