BJP names Rajya Sabha candidates for five States; two Union Ministers left out

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The party accommodated Debashish Samantaray who recently joined the BJP after quitting his seat in the Rajya Sabha as a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP. | Photo Credit: ANI

The BJP on Thursday (June 4, 2026) announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in five States, with two Union Ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian not figuring in the list. Both Ministers’ terms in the Upper House end on June 21. While Mr. Bittu represents Rajasthan in the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Kurian is currently a member from Madhya Pradesh.

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Mr. Bittu is likely to focus on Punjab which goes to polls early next year.

The party accommodated Debashish Samantaray who recently joined the BJP after quitting his seat in the Rajya Sabha as a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP.

According to the list released by the party, Rajubhai Shukla, Mukeshbhai Rathwa, Mansingh Parmar, and Jitendra Meghjibhai Kanzariya have been fielded as candidates from Gujarat. The party has opted not to renominate three of its outgoing members, instead leaning on younger leaders.

Mr. Kanzariya, an OBC leader from Devbhoomi Dwarka district, is the son of former Khambhaliya MLA Meghjibhai Kanjhariya, who died in 2021. Mr. Parmar (45), from Gir Somnath, currently heads the Gujarat BJP Bakshipanch (OBC) Morcha. Mr. Shukla has held organisational responsibilities within the party and has worked in Kalol and Surendranagar. Mr. Rathwa (39) is a former vice-president of the BJYM and currently serves as general secretary of the Chhota Udaipur district unit.

Party national general secretary Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agrawal have been fielded from Madhya Pradesh. Mr. Chug, who hails from Punjab, has been an active face in the BJP organisation over the past few years and has earlier held positions in the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

Alka Gurjar and Satish Poonia will contest as BJP candidates from Rajasthan. Mr. Poonia, 62, served as the BJP State president from September 20