Another opportunity for Hardeep Puri. The BJP has once again fielded Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party has nominated him for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh. This paves the way for him to continue his tenure in the Modi cabinet, putting an end to the suspense regarding his position as a Union Minister.
According to a statement issued by the BJP’s central office, the party’s Central Election Committee has granted approval for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh. The party has fielded Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate from the state. Puri currently serves as the Union Minister for Petroleum. He was not fielded as a candidate in the various state elections held recently, which led to speculation that Puri might be dropped from the Cabinet. Had the party not renominated him to the Rajya Sabha, he would not have been able to continue as a minister. There has also been long-standing speculation regarding a potential expansion of the Modi government’s Cabinet. Given this context, the party’s decision to field Hardeep Puri as a Rajya Sabha candidate has effectively cleared the path for him to remain in the Cabinet. The by-election will be held on November 12.
This seat in Madhya Pradesh fell vacant following the resignation of former Union Minister L. Murugan. The by-election for this seat will take place on November 12. The last date for filing nominations is November 2. Hardeep Puri is the only Sikh minister in the Modi cabinet. He was previously elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. His current Rajya Sabha term is set to conclude in November. Prior to this, when the BJP announced the names of 8 candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections in UP, Hardeep Puri’s name was not included.
