The stage is set for a keen contest for Madhya Pradesh’s vacant Rajya Sabha seat after independent candidate Rajkumar Lohani filed his nomination against the BJP’s Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Lohani filed his nomination papers at the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on the last day of filing. Deputy Leader of Opposition Hemant Katare became his proposer, while Congress MLA Atif Aqeel and several party workers were present with him during the filing. A resident of Ghoda Nakkas in Old Bhopal, Lohani, 67, was born in Bhopal in 1959. He has not been affiliated with any political party so far and is known in the city as a social worker.

 

He has studied up to higher secondary level. The entry of an independent candidate, rather than a senior party leader, has turned what was expected to be a one-sided bypoll into a political contest. On paper, the BJP enjoys a decisive advantage. In the 230-member Assembly, with an effective strength of 229, the ruling party has 164 MLAs, placing it in a comfortable position to win the seat. Puri, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, had filed his nomination on October 31 in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal and other party leaders. The by-election was necessitated by the resignation of Union Minister of State L. Murugan on October 14 to focus on strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu. His term was scheduled to end on April 2, 2030.

 

The poll is also crucial for Puri, 74, whose existing Rajya Sabha term from Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to end on November 25. What happens next: Scrutiny of nominations will take place on November 3, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until November 5. Polling, if required, will be held on November 12 between 9 am and 4 pm, followed by counting at 5 pm the same day. Madhya Pradesh has 11 Rajya Sabha seats, of which the BJP holds eight and the Congress two, with one seat currently vacant.