NCP's Rajendra Jain set for unopposed Rajya Sabha win as MVA skips contest
Synopsis
With the MVA lacking the numbers to mount a challenge, NCP's Rajendra Jain — a Praful Patel loyalist from Vidarbha — is set to walk into the Rajya Sabha unopposed. The move is as much about the 2029 Lok Sabha math in Bhandara-Gondia as it is about filling a legislative seat.
Key Takeaways
NCP nominee Rajendra Jain is set to be elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha after the MVA declined to contest.
The election is scheduled for 18 June ; the nomination deadline was 8 June .
An independent nominee's papers are expected to be rejected on 9 June due to technical flaws.
Jain is a close associate of NCP working president Praful Patel and holds a strong base in Bhandara and Gondia districts of Eastern Vidarbha .
The nomination was backed by NCP national president and Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar and Rajya Sabha member Parth Pawar , after Chhagan Bhujbal withdrew his name.
Patel cited the pick as a strategic move to bolster party strength ahead of the 2029 general elections in the Bhandara-Gondia constituency.
Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) nominee Rajendra Jain is set to be elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) declined to field a candidate, citing insufficient numbers. Monday, 8 June was the last day to file nominations for the election scheduled on 18 June, and no MVA-backed contender entered the race.
Nomination Day and Key Figures Present
Jain filed his nomination papers on Monday in Mumbai in the presence of senior NCP leaders including Chhagan Bhujbal, Praful Patel, Dilip Walse Patil, youth leader Parth Pawar, and Mahayuti allies Ashish Shelar and Bharat Gogawale. An independent candidate also filed nomination on the same day, but state legislative secretariat sources indicated that the independent's papers are likely to be rejected during the scrutiny process on 9 June due to technical flaws.
What Happens Next
Withdrawals will be accepted until 11 June. Following the rejection of the independent's nomination during scrutiny, the poll officer is expected to inform the Election Commission of India (ECI) that Jain remains the sole valid nominee as of the withdrawal deadline. The ECI will then formally declare Jain elected and issue him a certificate — effectively making the 18 June poll a formality.
Why MVA Stepped Back
The MVA — comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP) factions — opted out of the contest on account of inadequate legislative strength to secure a win. The decision reflects the alliance's depleted numbers in the Maharashtra assembly following the Mahayuti's decisive victory in the November 2024 state elections.
Who Is Rajendra Jain
Jain is a close confidant of NCP working president Praful Patel and a prominent political figure from Eastern Vidarbha, with a strong base in the Bhandara and Gondia districts. A former Personal Assistant to Patel during his tenure as Union Minister, Jain rose steadily through the party ranks under Patel's mentorship. He was previously elected to the state legislative council from the Bhandara-Gondia Local Authorities' constituency, though he lost the 2016 Legislative Council election to Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Parinay Fuke. His elevation to the Rajya Sabha marks his formal entry into national politics.
The Political Calculus Behind the Pick
Patel proposed Jain's name at an NCP core committee meeting on Sunday, arguing that the nomination would strengthen party organisation in Vidarbha ahead of the 2029 general elections. Patel also noted a personal interest — he is keen to contest the next Lok Sabha election from the Bhandara-Gondia constituency, and a trusted ally in the Rajya Sabha would consolidate his regional influence. Jain's name was cleared after veteran leader and NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal withdrew from the running, with approval coming from NCP national president and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and her son, Rajya Sabha member Parth Pawar. Speaking to reporters, Jain said he would 'strive to consolidate the party organisation in the Vidarbha region.'
Point of View
In effect, Patel investing in his own 2029 Bhandara-Gondia campaign from the Rajya Sabha floor.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rajendra Jain set to be elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha?
Jain is set to win unopposed because the Maha Vikas Aghadi chose not to field a candidate, citing insufficient numbers in the Maharashtra assembly to secure a victory. An independent nominee who filed papers is also expected to be disqualified on technical grounds during the 9 June scrutiny.
When is the Rajya Sabha election in Maharashtra scheduled?
The Rajya Sabha election is scheduled for 18 June. Nomination scrutiny takes place on 9 June, and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is 11 June.
Who is Rajendra Jain and what is his political background?
Rajendra Jain is a senior NCP leader from Eastern Vidarbha, particularly influential in Bhandara and Gondia districts. A former Personal Assistant to Praful Patel, he previously served in the Maharashtra legislative council and lost the 2016 council election to BJP's Parinay Fuke. His Rajya Sabha nomination marks his entry into national politics.
Why did Chhagan Bhujbal withdraw from the Rajya Sabha race?
The source does not detail the specific reasons for Bhujbal's withdrawal. His exit cleared the path for Jain's nomination, which was subsequently approved by NCP national president Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar at the party's core committee meeting.
What is the significance of this nomination for the 2029 general elections?
NCP working president Praful Patel proposed Jain's name specifically to strengthen party organisation in Vidarbha ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Patel is reportedly keen to contest from the Bhandara-Gondia constituency himself, making a trusted ally in the Rajya Sabha a strategic asset for his campaign.
