BJP fields third candidate in MP Rajya Sabha polls, names Nagaraja for Karnataka
Synopsis
The BJP has upped the ante in Madhya Pradesh's Rajya Sabha contest by fielding a third candidate — Mahesh Kewat — to go alongside Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agrawal, directly challenging Congress nominee Meenakshi Natarajan. With nominations closing on 9 June and voting on 18 June, the move signals the party's confidence in its legislative arithmetic and its intent to maximise seat gains.
Key Takeaways
BJP announced Mahesh Kewat as its third Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh , joining Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agrawal .
Nagaraja named as BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate from Karnataka .
Lingaraj Patil and Raghu Kautilya declared as BJP candidates for the Karnataka Legislative Council biennial elections.
Congress has fielded Meenakshi Natarajan as its candidate in Madhya Pradesh.
Nomination deadline was 9 June ; Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for 18 June .
Announcement made by Arun Singh , BJP National General Secretary and Headquarters in-charge.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 8 June released its official list of candidates for the upcoming biennial Rajya Sabha elections from Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, as well as for the Karnataka Legislative Council, in a move that sets up a direct numerical challenge to the Indian National Congress (Congress) in Madhya Pradesh. The names were announced through a press release issued by the party's central office in New Delhi late Sunday evening.
Key Nominations
Mahesh Kewat has been nominated for the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, while M. Nagaraja is the party's pick from Karnataka. Both names were cleared by the BJP's Central Election Committee. Arun Singh, BJP National General Secretary and Headquarters in-charge, formally announced the selections.
Karnataka Legislative Council Candidates
In addition to the Rajya Sabha nominations, the BJP declared Lingaraj Patil and Raghu Kautilya as its candidates for the Karnataka Legislative Council biennial elections. The party said these selections are part of a broader strategy to strengthen its organisational presence and legislative influence in the state.
The MP Challenge: BJP Goes for a Third Seat
The Madhya Pradesh contest is shaping up as the most closely watched race. The BJP had already fielded Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agrawal before the fresh nomination of Kewat, bringing its tally to three candidates. Congress has fielded Meenakshi Natarajan as its sole candidate. Speculation about a third BJP nominee had been circulating for days; the Sunday announcement confirmed it. Monday, 9 June was the last date for filing nomination papers, with the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for 18 June.
What This Means for Both States
Madhya Pradesh remains a traditional stronghold for the BJP, and fielding a third candidate signals confidence in its legislative numbers — a move that could squeeze the Congress's margin or force a competitive count. Karnataka, by contrast, is a key battleground where the party is seeking to expand its footprint after losing the assembly election. The selection of candidates, according to the party, reflects a balance of experience, academic credentials, and organisational loyalty. This comes amid the BJP's stated push to reinforce its legislative strength and policy agenda across both states ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
A third candidate risks splitting votes and handing Congress an unexpected gain. The move also signals that the BJP views its post-2023 assembly dominance in MP as durable enough to press for a sweep. In Karnataka, where the party lost power, the nominations are more about organisational signalling than immediate seat gains — keeping the cadre engaged and staking a claim ahead of the next assembly cycle.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the BJP's Rajya Sabha candidates from Madhya Pradesh?
The BJP has fielded three candidates from Madhya Pradesh: Tarun Chugh, Rajneesh Agrawal, and Mahesh Kewat. Kewat was the last to be announced, confirming earlier speculation about a third nomination.
Who is the Congress candidate for the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha seat?
Congress has nominated Meenakshi Natarajan as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. She is the party's sole nominee in the state for these biennial elections.
When are the Rajya Sabha biennial elections scheduled?
The Rajya Sabha biennial elections are scheduled for 18 June. The last date for filing nomination papers was 9 June.
Who did the BJP nominate for the Karnataka Rajya Sabha seat and Legislative Council?
The BJP nominated M. Nagaraja for the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. For the Karnataka Legislative Council, the party chose Lingaraj Patil and Raghu Kautilya.
Why is the BJP fielding a third candidate in Madhya Pradesh?
Fielding a third candidate signals the BJP's confidence in its legislative majority in Madhya Pradesh, where it holds a dominant position following its assembly election win. The move is aimed at maximising Rajya Sabha seat gains and further consolidating its upper-house strength.
