BJP names 11 candidates for Rajya Sabha elections, drops two Union ministers

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its list of 11 candidates for the upcoming biennial Rajya Sabha elections, signaling potential shifts within the party and the Union Council of Ministers. The announcement on Thursday saw the exclusion of two Union ministers, George Kurien and Ravneet Singh Bittu, from the nomination list.

Among the prominent nominations is Tarun Chugh, the BJP's national general secretary, who will contest from Madhya Pradesh. He is joined by Rajneesh Agrawal, a party spokesperson. The BJP anticipates securing two of the three seats available in Madhya Pradesh. Chugh's oversight of various campaigns and party units, including Jammu & Kashmir and Telangana, highlights his significant role.

From Manipur, the party has nominated A Sharada Devi, the current state unit chief. Her appointment marks a significant moment as she is the first woman to hold the post in the state. While there was speculation about Biren Singh's nomination, the party opted for Devi, a Meitei.

In Gujarat, where the BJP is expected to win all four vacant seats, the nominated candidates are Rajubhai Shukla, Mukeshbhai Rathwa, Jitendra Kanzariya, and Mansing Parmar. These nominations include a Mehsana-based organizer, a tribal leader, a former Zila Panchayat member, and the head of the BJP's Gujarat OBC Morcha.

The selection process, which also includes nominations from Arunachal Pradesh (Tai Tagak) and Rajasthan (Alka Gurjar, Satish Poonia), indicates the party's strategic approach to the Upper House elections. The exclusion of Union ministers from the Rajya Sabha list suggests that the BJP may be preparing for cabinet reshuffles, adhering to the 'one man, one post' principle.