BJP fields OBC leader Mahesh Kevat for MP's third Rajya Sabha seat, eyes cross-voting
Synopsis
The BJP's last-minute fielding of OBC leader Mahesh Kevat for Madhya Pradesh's third Rajya Sabha seat has turned a routine biennial election into a cross-voting thriller. With the party needing at least 10 Congress MLAs to defect, Kevat's Bundelkhand roots and OBC identity are the BJP's calculated bet — and the Congress's biggest vulnerability.
Key Takeaways
BJP fielded Mahesh Kevat as a surprise candidate for Madhya Pradesh's third Rajya Sabha seat on 8 June .
The party needs at least 10 cross-votes from Congress MLAs to secure the seat, having roughly 48 surplus votes after its first two candidates.
Kevat belongs to the Kevat OBC community and hails from Niwari, Bundelkhand — a region seen as his political stronghold.
He was previously expelled from the BJP for six years for anti-party activities before being rehabilitated, aided by his RSS background.
On 24 April , he was appointed Chairman of the MP Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development Board , signalling his return to favour.
The three Rajya Sabha terms expire on 21 June ; Congress has nominated Meenakshi Natarajan while former CM Digvijaya Singh opted out of re-contesting.
The contest for Madhya Pradesh's third Rajya Sabha seat has sharpened into a calculated gamble on cross-voting after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded Mahesh Kevat as its surprise nominee on 8 June. With the party holding roughly 48 surplus votes after securing its first two seats, BJP strategists estimate they need at least 10 additional votes from Indian National Congress (Congress) MLAs to push Kevat over the line.
Who Is Mahesh Kevat
Mahesh Kevat hails from Niwari in the Bundelkhand region and belongs to the Kevat community, classified under Other Backward Classes (OBCs). His nomination was filed on Monday — the final date for submissions — following what sources described as intense weekend deliberations among senior BJP leaders and subsequent approval from the party's central leadership.
Party strategists cite his deep community roots and grassroots connect across Bundelkhand as key electoral assets. His selection is also seen as an attempt to inject social and regional balance into the party's Rajya Sabha representation from the state.
A Career Marked by Turbulence and Rehabilitation
Kevat's political journey has not been without controversy. He was previously expelled from the BJP for six years on charges of anti-party activities during urban body elections. He subsequently worked his way back into the organisation, reportedly drawing on his Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) background to rebuild his standing.
His rehabilitation was formally signalled on 24 April, when the Madhya Pradesh state government appointed him as Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development Board — a move that underlined his rising profile within the ruling establishment.
The Seat Arithmetic and Congress Factor
The terms of three sitting Rajya Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh expire on 21 June — two seats held by the BJP and one by the Congress. The Congress seat was occupied by former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, who has opted against re-contesting. The Congress has since nominated Meenakshi Natarajan for the vacancy.
The BJP had earlier announced Rajnish Agrawal and Tarun Chugh as its candidates for the first two seats. Kevat's late entry as the third candidate has transformed what appeared to be a routine electoral exercise into a closely watched cross-voting battle.
What Happens Next
With the BJP short of a clear majority for the third seat, all eyes are on Congress legislators in the state, particularly those from Bundelkhand where Kevat commands influence. The outcome will test both party discipline within the Congress and the BJP's ability to peel away votes through social and regional appeal. The election is scheduled ahead of the 21 June retirement date, making the coming days critical for both sides.
Point of View
After a six-year expulsion, rehabilitated just weeks earlier with a board chairmanship. That sequence suggests the decision was as much about managing internal factions as it was about defeating the Congress. If cross-voting does materialise, it will raise uncomfortable questions about Congress's floor management in a state where it is already in opposition. If it does not, the BJP risks the optics of a high-profile nomination that fell short — and a signal that its OBC outreach has limits.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the BJP field Mahesh Kevat for Madhya Pradesh's third Rajya Sabha seat?
The BJP fielded Mahesh Kevat to leverage his OBC community influence and grassroots connect in the Bundelkhand region, where it hopes to attract cross-votes from Congress MLAs. The party lacks a standalone majority for the third seat and needs at least 10 additional votes to win.
Who is Mahesh Kevat and what is his political background?
Mahesh Kevat is an OBC leader from Niwari in Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh, belonging to the Kevat fishing community. He was once expelled from the BJP for six years over anti-party activities but returned to the fold through his RSS connections and was appointed Chairman of the MP Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development Board on 24 April.
When do the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha seats fall vacant?
The terms of three sitting Rajya Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh expire on 21 June. Two seats are currently held by the BJP and one by the Congress, previously occupied by former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh.
Who are the other candidates contesting the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election?
The BJP has fielded Rajnish Agrawal and Tarun Chugh for the first two seats, and Mahesh Kevat for the third. The Congress has nominated Meenakshi Natarajan after Digvijaya Singh opted out of re-contesting.
What is cross-voting and why does it matter in this election?
Cross-voting occurs when elected legislators vote for a candidate from a rival party in indirect elections such as Rajya Sabha polls. It matters here because the BJP does not have enough MLAs on its own to guarantee Kevat's victory and is banking on at least 10 Congress MLAs breaking ranks.
