The BJP’s UP list gives representation to OBC, Dalit, Brahmin and Thakur communities as the party seeks to expand its Rajya Sabha tally in the state. Puri’s omission has also triggered speculation about a possible reshuffle at the Centre.
BY PC Bureau
Lucknow: The BJP’s Rajya Sabha list for Uttar Pradesh has thrown up a surprise with Union minister Hardeep Puri missing from the eight names announced for the October 16 polls, even as the party moves to push its numbers beyond the seven seats it is assured of winning.
The list suggests a carefully calibrated caste strategy in the politically crucial state, with the BJP giving representation to OBCs, Dalits, Brahmins and Thakurs. Puri’s omission, meanwhile, has triggered speculation that the Union minister could figure in a larger rejig at the Centre.
The eight candidates announced by the BJP are state minister Dharampal Singh, Radhakant Ojha, Prakash Pal, former MLC Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan, former Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Singh Rawat and Shruti Gangwar, daughter of Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar.
Ten Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh are going to the polls on October 16. On the basis of its strength in the state Assembly, the BJP is certain to win seven seats and is seeking to secure an eighth, making the electoral arithmetic particularly important.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the candidates in a post on X, saying: “Heartfelt congratulations to all the esteemed candidates announced today. Infinite best wishes for the historic victory of each one of you.”
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भारतीय जनता पार्टी की केंद्रीय चुनाव समिति ने उत्तर प्रदेश में होने वाले राज्यसभा द्विवार्षिक चुनाव 2026 हेतु निम्नलिखित नामों पर अपनी स्वीकृति प्रदान की है। https://t.co/8TB5Bp8VGM
— BJP (@BJP4India) October 5, 2026
The list gives prominent representation to the BJP’s social coalition in Uttar Pradesh. Dharampal Singh belongs to the Lodh community, while Radhakant Ojha and Gopi Krishna Pandey are Brahmins.
Prakash Pal is president of the BJP’s OBC Morcha in Uttar Pradesh, while Shruti Gangwar also belongs to the OBC community. Vidyasagar Sonkar and Priyanka Singh Rawat are from the Dalit community, while Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan is from the Thakur community.
Puri’s absence is particularly noteworthy because he had been widely expected to be nominated from Uttar Pradesh. Although there has been no official indication of a change in his ministerial position, his omission from the Rajya Sabha list could add to speculation about a possible reshuffle at the Centre.
The BJP will now have to marshal support for its eighth candidate while ensuring that its carefully constructed caste and regional balance in Uttar Pradesh remains intact.
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