BJP Unveils First List of 9 Rajya Sabha Candidates Including Nitin Nabin
Synopsis
The BJP has announced its first list of nine candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, prominently featuring national president Nitin Nabin among others from various states. Discover the full list and the election timeline set by the ECI.
Key Takeaways
BJP's candidate list includes prominent leaders from various states.
Election date is set for March 16.
37 seats are available for election.
Strict guidelines are in place to ensure fairness .
Observers will monitor the electoral process.
New Delhi, March 3 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially unveiled its roster of nine candidates, prominently featuring its national president Nitin Nabin, for the upcoming biennial elections to the Council of States, known as the Rajya Sabha.
The selected candidates include Nitin Nabin and Shivesh Kumar from Bihar, Terash Gowalla and Jogen Mohan from Assam, Laxmi Verma from Chhattisgarh, Sanjay Bhatia from Haryana, Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar from Odisha, and Rahul Sinha from West Bengal.
Previously, on February 18, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the timeline for the biennial elections to the Council of States, which will fill 37 vacancies from 10 states.
Polling is scheduled for March 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with vote counting occurring the same day at 5:00 p.m.
The terms of these 37 Council of States members, elected from 10 states, are set to conclude in April 2026.
Given the approaching vacancies, the Commission has established a comprehensive schedule for the electoral process.
The election notification is set to be released on February 26, with March 5 marking the last day for nomination submissions. Scrutiny of nomination papers will occur on March 6.
Candidates may withdraw their nominations until March 9.
The Commission has mandated that only integrated violet sketch pens, adhering to specified standards and supplied by the Returning Officer, will be permitted for marking preferences on ballot papers.
It has been made clear that no other writing instruments will be allowed.
To guarantee the elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner, observers will be assigned to oversee the entire process.
The members whose terms are concluding represent Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana.
The Commission has emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to all election-related guidelines and has assured that the entire process will be completed within the designated timeline to protect the integrity of the Rajya Sabha elections.
Point of View
Including influential leaders, the BJP aims to strengthen its representation in the Council of States.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rajya Sabha?
The Rajya Sabha, or the Council of States, is the upper house of India's Parliament, representing the states and union territories.
Who are the candidates announced by the BJP?
The BJP's list includes Nitin Nabin, Shivesh Kumar, Terash Gowalla, Jogen Mohan, Laxmi Verma, Sanjay Bhatia, Manmohan Samal, Sujeet Kumar, and Rahul Sinha.
When will the elections be held?
Polling is scheduled for March 16, with vote counting taking place the same day.
How many seats are up for election?
A total of 37 seats from 10 states are vacant and will be filled in these elections.
What are the guidelines for the elections?
The Election Commission has laid out specific guidelines, including the use of designated violet sketch pens for marking ballots.
