MP Rajya Sabha bypoll: Congress-backed candidate's nomination rejected, BJP's Puri set for walkover
Synopsis
The Congress's only hope of contesting the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha bypoll has been extinguished before polling day — its backed candidate's nomination was thrown out for missing a mandatory affidavit, leaving Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri virtually certain of an uncontested win. The opposition has pivoted to challenging Puri's own affidavit disclosures, but Congress MLA Katare himself admitted the prospects are dim.
Key Takeaways
Congress-backed Independent candidate Rajkumar Lohani 's nomination was rejected on 3 November for allegedly failing to submit the mandatory Form 26 affidavit.
BJP candidate and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is now set for a near-certain win in the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha bypoll on 12 November .
Congress MLA Hemant Katare raised three objections to Puri's affidavit, including alleged non-disclosure of an apartment in Geneva and foreign bank accounts.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Union Minister of State L.
Murugan from the MP Rajya Sabha seat.
The BJP holds 164 of 230 Madhya Pradesh Assembly seats against Congress's 65 , making any challenge numerically futile.
Last date for withdrawal of nominations is 5 November ; polling and counting both on 12 November .
The nomination of Congress-backed Independent candidate Rajkumar Lohani was rejected during scrutiny on Tuesday, 3 November, for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh scheduled for 12 November, dealing a significant blow to the opposition's bid to mount a contest against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. With the rejection, Puri now appears headed for an uncontested win, given the BJP's commanding majority in the state assembly.
Why Lohani's Nomination Was Rejected
Lohani had filed his nomination papers on Monday, 2 November — the last day for filing — with the backing of Indian National Congress (Congress) legislators. The Returning Officer rejected his papers over the alleged failure to submit the mandatory Form 26 affidavit, which is required to disclose a candidate's assets, liabilities, educational qualifications, and criminal antecedents, if any.
Lohani sought an opportunity to rectify the deficiency, citing the precedent of BJP-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani in Jharkhand, who was reportedly allowed to correct his nomination papers. That argument was not accepted, and the rejection stood.
Congress Raises Objections Against Puri's Affidavit
Even as Lohani's candidacy was struck down, Congress legislators pressed on through a separate front. Congress MLA Hemant Katare, one of Lohani's proposers, submitted three formal objections to Puri's nomination affidavit before the Returning Officer on Tuesday.
The objections questioned the alleged non-disclosure of the Union Minister's wife's name, the declaration of certain overseas assets in foreign currencies rather than Indian rupees, and alleged irregularities in the notarisation of his affidavit. Katare also alleged that details of an apartment in Geneva and foreign bank accounts had not been properly disclosed.
'We have raised objections on all three grounds before the Returning Officer. We do not have much hope, but let us see what decision the Returning Officer takes,' Katare said, addressing reporters.
Background: Why the Seat Fell Vacant
The Rajya Sabha by-election was necessitated by the resignation of Union Minister of State L. Murugan, who vacated the Madhya Pradesh seat. The BJP announced Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate on 28 October. He filed his nomination on 31 October in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal.
Numerical Reality: BJP Has a Comfortable Edge
The arithmetic in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly leaves little room for suspense. The BJP holds 164 MLAs, while Congress has 65. In a Rajya Sabha election conducted through proportional representation by single transferable vote among elected legislators, that gap makes any opposition challenge largely symbolic even with a valid candidate in the field.
What Happens Next
The last date for withdrawal of nominations is 5 November. Polling is scheduled for 12 November, with counting to be held on the same day. Barring a successful challenge to Puri's affidavit — which Katare himself described as unlikely — Puri is on course to be elected to the Rajya Sabha unopposed. This comes amid a broader pattern of the BJP consolidating its parliamentary presence through state assembly dominance in Hindi-belt states.
Point of View
Filing on the last possible day with incomplete paperwork? The contrast with the Jharkhand precedent Lohani cited is worth scrutiny; if Nathwani was allowed to rectify similar deficiencies, consistency in electoral administration matters. That said, even with a valid Lohani candidacy, the BJP's 164-to-65 MLA advantage made the outcome a foregone conclusion. The real story is the Congress's affidavit offensive against Puri — allegations of undisclosed Geneva property and foreign accounts carry reputational weight regardless of the Returning Officer's ruling, and they will likely outlive this bypoll.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Rajkumar Lohani's nomination rejected for the MP Rajya Sabha bypoll?
Lohani's nomination was rejected during scrutiny on 3 November because he allegedly failed to submit the mandatory Form 26 affidavit, which requires disclosure of assets, liabilities, educational qualifications, and criminal antecedents. His request to rectify the deficiency was not accepted by the Returning Officer.
Who is Hardeep Singh Puri and why is he contesting from Madhya Pradesh?
Hardeep Singh Puri is a Union Minister in the BJP-led central government. He was fielded for the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha seat that fell vacant after Union Minister of State L. Murugan resigned. The BJP announced his candidacy on 28 October, and he filed his nomination on 31 October.
What objections has the Congress raised against Hardeep Singh Puri's nomination?
Congress MLA Hemant Katare filed three objections against Puri's affidavit, citing alleged non-disclosure of his wife's name, declaration of overseas assets in foreign currencies, and alleged irregularities in notarisation. Katare also alleged that an apartment in Geneva and foreign bank accounts were not properly disclosed.
When is the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha by-election scheduled?
Polling for the by-election is scheduled for 12 November, with counting to be held on the same day. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is 5 November.
Does the BJP have enough MLAs to win the Rajya Sabha bypoll in Madhya Pradesh?
Yes. The BJP holds 164 seats in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, against Congress's 65. Since Rajya Sabha elections are decided by elected MLAs, the BJP's numerical dominance ensures it can comfortably elect its candidate without needing a single opposition vote.
