Hardeep Singh Puri to file Rajya Sabha nomination in Bhopal on October 31
Synopsis
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will file his Rajya Sabha nomination in Bhopal on October 31, backed by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and top BJP brass. With 164 MLAs to Congress's 65, the BJP's win is a foregone conclusion — but Congress's dual attack on the 'outsider' candidate angle and alleged Epstein links is the real political story to watch before the November 12 poll.
Key Takeaways
Hardeep Singh Puri will file his Rajya Sabha nomination at the Madhya Pradesh Assembly in Bhopal on 31 October .
The filing will take place in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav , State BJP President Hemant Khandelwal , and other senior leaders.
The seat fell vacant after Union Minister L.
Murugan resigned; his term was due until April 2030 .
Puri's current Rajya Sabha term as an Uttar Pradesh member ends on 25 November .
Congress has objected on two grounds: fielding an 'outsider' and Puri's alleged links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .
The BJP holds 164 MLAs in the 230-member Assembly versus Congress's 65 , making a BJP win near-certain on 12 November .
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-election from Madhya Pradesh, is set to file his nomination papers at the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Bhopal on 31 October, in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and senior party leadership. The BJP announced Puri's candidature on 28 October for the 12 November Rajya Sabha by-election.
The Nomination Proceedings
According to the Madhya Pradesh BJP Media department, Puri will depart from the party's state headquarters at 10:30 am after paying floral tributes to statues of prominent party leaders, alongside Chief Minister Yadav. He will then leave for the state Assembly at 11 am to formally submit his nomination papers.
The filing ceremony will be attended by State BJP President and MLA Hemant Khandelwal, State Organisational General Secretary Chandrashekhar, and other senior party figures — a show of organisational strength ahead of the by-poll.
Why the Seat Fell Vacant
The Rajya Sabha seat became available following the resignation of Union Minister L. Murugan, whose term was originally scheduled to run until April 2030. Puri, who currently serves as a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh, is due to complete his term on 25 November, making his nomination from Madhya Pradesh a timely political move to retain his seat in the Upper House.
Congress Raises Dual Objections
The opposition Indian National Congress (Congress) has mounted a two-pronged challenge to Puri's candidacy. First, the party has questioned the BJP's decision to field an outsider — a leader representing Uttar Pradesh — rather than a local Madhya Pradesh leader, framing it as a slight to the state's political class.
Second, Congress has raised questions over Puri's alleged interactions with convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and has demanded a public explanation from the Union Minister and the party. The BJP has not yet responded formally to either charge.
BJP's Comfortable Arithmetic
Despite the political controversy, the BJP is firmly positioned to retain the seat. In the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, the BJP commands 164 MLAs against the Congress's 65 — a numerical advantage that makes the outcome a near-certainty. Polling is scheduled for 12 November.
What Comes Next
With the nomination filing on 31 October and polling on 12 November, the contest is expected to be a formality in terms of outcome. However, the Congress's pointed questions — on both the 'outsider' framing and the Epstein allegations — are likely to keep pressure on the BJP in the days leading up to the vote, and could shape the broader political narrative around Puri's continuity in the Union Cabinet.
Point of View
Arithmetically, a done deal — but the BJP's choice of Puri over a local leader reopens a recurring question about whether the party's Upper House selections prioritise ministerial continuity over state representation. The Congress's Epstein-link demand, however speculative, adds an uncomfortable dimension that the BJP has yet to address publicly. With Puri's UP term expiring on 25 November, the timeline of this by-election is not incidental — it is a rescue operation in plain sight, and the opposition knows it.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Hardeep Singh Puri filing a Rajya Sabha nomination from Madhya Pradesh?
Puri's current Rajya Sabha term as a member from Uttar Pradesh ends on 25 November, and the BJP has nominated him from Madhya Pradesh to secure his continued membership in the Upper House. The seat fell vacant after Union Minister L. Murugan resigned, with his term originally running until April 2030.
When is the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha by-election scheduled?
Polling for the Rajya Sabha by-election from Madhya Pradesh is scheduled for 12 November. Hardeep Singh Puri will file his nomination papers on 31 October in Bhopal.
What objections has the Congress raised against Puri's candidacy?
The Congress has raised two objections: it has questioned the BJP's decision to field a leader from outside Madhya Pradesh instead of a local candidate, and it has demanded an explanation from Puri over his alleged interactions with convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Is the BJP likely to win the Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh?
Yes, the BJP is widely expected to retain the seat comfortably. It holds 164 MLAs in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, against Congress's 65 — giving it the numbers to elect its candidate without difficulty.
Who will be present at Hardeep Singh Puri's nomination filing in Bhopal?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, State BJP President and MLA Hemant Khandelwal, State Organisational General Secretary Chandrashekhar, and other senior party leaders are expected to accompany Puri when he files his nomination at the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly on 31 October.
