Rajasthan Rajya Sabha polls June 18: BJP, Congress yet to pick candidates
Synopsis
With Rajasthan's three Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs on 18 June, neither the BJP nor the Congress has locked in its candidates. The BJP is weighing an OBC nominee for one seat, while Congress awaits a central leadership call. Political observers say the contest could go uncontested — but that depends entirely on decisions yet to be made.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission of India has scheduled Rajya Sabha polls for Rajasthan on 18 June , with results the same day.
Three seats fall vacant on 21 June — held by Ravneet Singh Bittu , Rajendra Gehlot , and Neeraj Dangi .
The BJP is reportedly considering an OBC candidate for one of its two expected seats; deliberations for the second are ongoing.
The Congress has not yet finalised its panel; the central leadership in Delhi will make the call.
Based on assembly numbers, the BJP is expected to win 2 seats and Congress 1 seat ; an uncontested outcome is possible.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced polling for three Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan on 18 June, with results to be declared the same day. The seats are falling vacant on 21 June following the end of terms of Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, BJP MP Rajendra Gehlot, and Congress MP Neeraj Dangi. As of now, neither the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nor the Indian National Congress has finalised its candidates.
BJP's Candidate Deliberations
On the BJP side, discussions on potential nominees reportedly took place during the party's state core committee meeting on 16 May. Following those deliberations, the committee authorised Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to forward a final panel of names to the central leadership in New Delhi.
According to party sources, the BJP is considering fielding a candidate from the OBC community for one of its two seats, factoring in caste equations and the broader political landscape in Rajasthan. Deliberations for the second seat are reportedly still ongoing.
Congress Yet to Finalise Its Panel
The Congress has not yet constituted its panel for the Rajya Sabha election. Party sources indicate the decision will be taken by the central leadership in Delhi. Several leaders from both Rajasthan and the national level are reportedly in contention for the party's lone winnable seat. The final picture, sources say, is expected to emerge only after the party leadership formally constitutes its panel.
Expected Seat Tally and Uncontested Scenario
Based on the current strength of parties in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, the BJP is widely expected to secure two seats comfortably, while the Congress is likely to retain one seat. Political observers note the election could even go uncontested if the BJP refrains from nominating a third candidate and the Congress does not field a second.
However, no official decision has been taken by either party, and the final outcome will hinge on candidate selection strategies, according to observers. This comes as part of the ECI's broader announcement of elections to 24 Rajya Sabha seats across the country on 18 June.
What Happens Next
The candidate filing window and campaign period will now determine whether the contest remains straightforward or turns competitive. With caste calculus and central leadership preferences both in play, the BJP's nominee for the OBC-targeted seat is being watched closely. The Congress's choice, meanwhile, will signal which faction of the party holds sway in the state ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
The reported push for an OBC nominee signals that caste arithmetic in Rajasthan remains as live as ever, even for an upper-house seat with limited direct electoral stakes. For the Congress, the delay reflects a familiar pattern: central leadership holding the reins on state-level decisions, which has repeatedly strained the party's Rajasthan unit. If the election does go uncontested, it will be a choreographed non-event — but the negotiations happening in the background will reveal exactly where power sits within each party ahead of future state and national contests.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Rajasthan Rajya Sabha elections 2025?
Polling for three Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan is scheduled for 18 June 2025 , with results to be declared on the same day, as announced by the Election Commission of India.
Which seats are up for election in Rajasthan's Rajya Sabha polls?
The three seats are falling vacant on 21 June following the end of terms of Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, BJP MP Rajendra Gehlot, and Congress MP Neeraj Dangi.
How many seats is the BJP expected to win in Rajasthan's Rajya Sabha election?
Based on the current strength of parties in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, the BJP is expected to win two seats and the Congress is likely to retain one.
Could the Rajasthan Rajya Sabha election be uncontested?
Political observers say an uncontested outcome is possible if the BJP does not field a third candidate and the Congress does not nominate a second. No official decision has been taken by either party as of now.
What is the BJP's candidate strategy for the Rajasthan Rajya Sabha polls?
According to party sources, the BJP is considering fielding a candidate from the OBC community for one of its two seats. The state core committee has authorised BJP president Madan Rathore and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to send the final panel to central leadership.
