bjp-announces-3-candidates-for-rajya-sabha-by-election

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its candidates for the upcoming by-election to the Rajya Sabha, marking an important step ahead of the election scheduled for December 20.

 

The party has chosen Ryaga Krishnaiah from Andhra Pradesh, Rekha Sharma from Haryana, and Sujeet Kumar from Odisha to contest the vacant seats.

 

The Election Commission had earlier announced the bypolls for six vacant Rajya Sabha seats. These vacancies resulted from the resignations of several members across different states.

 

In total, three seats are located in Andhra Pradesh, one in Odisha, one in West Bengal, and one in Haryana. All six seats became vacant due to the resignations of sitting Rajya Sabha members, prompting the need for by-elections.

 

The list of vacancies includes those of Venkataramana Rao Mopidevi, Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav, and Ryaga Krishnaiah from Andhra Pradesh, Sujeet Kumar from Odisha, Jawhar Sircar from West Bengal, and Krishan Lal Panwar from Haryana.

 

The last date for filing nominations is December 10, with the last date for withdrawal of candidature set for December 13.

 

The vacant Andhra Pradesh seats were created when members of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) – Venkataramana Rao Mopidevi, Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav, and Ryaga Krishnaiah – stepped down from the Rajya Sabha, necessitating the elections for new representatives.

 

In Odisha, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sujeet Kumar’s resignation triggered the need for a by-election. Kumar's tenure was scheduled to last until April 2, 2026.

 

In Haryana, BJP member Krishan Lal Panwar resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat in order to contest the Haryana Assembly elections from the Israna constituency. Panwar’s tenure was to extend until August 1, 2028.

 

As the BJP finalises its slate of candidates, the party’s choice to field Krishnaiah, Sharma, and Kumar signals its efforts to secure representation in these states.

 

With the by-elections set for December 20, all eyes will be on the outcome of these contests, as the results will be declared the same day. This by-election is a key event in shaping the composition of the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament.