Hardeep Singh Puri Elected Unopposed to Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha Seat

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, 5 November 2026. Umesh Sharma, the returning officer, made the declaration, Business Today reports. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had scheduled a by-election for 12 November to fill the seat, and that poll is no longer required.

The seat fell vacant after L Murugan resigned from the Rajya Sabha, according to Business Today and News On AIR. Business Today describes Murugan as a former Union minister. The seat's term was originally scheduled to end on 2 April 2030, the same date that applied to Murugan's term.

Two Nominations Rejected, Leaving Puri Unopposed

The ECI set 2 November as the last date for nominations, 3 November for scrutiny and 5 November for withdrawals, the Free Press Journal reports. Scrutiny was scheduled for the day after nominations closed. Two nominations were rejected at that stage: those of Kante Sayanna and Rajkumar Lohani.

Business Today reports that Lohani was backed by the Congress. Withdrawals closed on 5 November, leaving Puri as the only candidate. The returning officer then declared the result.

News On AIR carried a report dated 31 October 2026 on Puri's filing. It says he submitted his papers at the assembly building, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal present. Before filing, he visited a gurdwara and offered prayers, then visited Karuna Dham Ashram, the report says.

The By-Election Schedule and the Vacancy

The ECI announced the by-election on Thursday, 22 October 2026, and said the notification would be issued on 26 October, according to the Free Press Journal. Polling was set for 12 November from 9 am to 4 pm. Counting was to begin at 5 pm the same day, and the whole process was due to be completed before 16 November 2026.

The reports differ on when Murugan's seat fell vacant. The Free Press Journal gives 14 October 2026 as the date the seat became vacant. News On AIR says Murugan resigned from the Rajya Sabha on 13 October. Both reports give his resignation as the cause.

The seat's term was originally set to run until 2 April 2030, the Free Press Journal and Business Today report. News On AIR gives the end of the term as April 2030.

Puri's Nomination and His Ministerial Post

The BJP's Central Election Committee named Puri as its candidate on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The Daily Pioneer says the announcement ended days of suspense over the petroleum minister's parliamentary seat. Business Today describes Puri as 74 and a former diplomat.

The Daily Pioneer reports that Puri was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, and that his term there ends in November. The BJP named eight candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha polls, and Puri was not among them. The report says the omission raised questions about his future in the Council of Ministers. It also notes that he holds the petroleum and natural gas portfolio and is the only Sikh minister in the Modi cabinet.

The Daily Pioneer says a minister who is not a member of either House can hold office for only six months without being elected. It links that rule to the Madhya Pradesh bypoll, which it says gives Puri a route back into Parliament.

Because Puri was the only candidate left, the 12 November vote is no longer needed.

Result Declared and the 12 November Poll Dropped

Madhya Pradesh BJP president Hemant Khandelwal collected the election certificate from Sharma in the presence of party leaders. He said the process was complete and that Puri had been "elected unopposed" in the by-election, Business Today reports. Khandelwal then met Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state BJP organisation general secretary Chandrashekhar to report the result.

Because Puri was the only candidate left, the 12 November vote is no longer needed. The declaration ends the contest for the seat, which had been set to be filled by voting that day.