Rajya Sabha Election: BJP’s Third Candidate Ups The Stakes For Congress In Madhya Pradesh

Published 9 June 2026 · politics

Rajya Sabha Election: BJP’s Third Candidate Ups The Stakes For Congress In Madhya Pradesh Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 13:10 IST BJP fields

Rajya Sabha Election: BJP’s Third Candidate Ups The Stakes For Congress In Madhya Pradesh Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 13:10 IST BJP fields Mahesh Kewat as third Rajya Sabha candidate in Madhya Pradesh, turning a numerically pro Congress seat into a test of Congress unity over Meenakshi Natarajan BJP’s Mahesh Kewat and Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan file nomination for Rajya Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh. (Source: PTI) The Rajya Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh have taken an interesting turn, with the BJP’s decision to field a third candidate transforming what was expected to be a routine election into a test of Congress unity. The BJP’s move has also brought simmering discontent within the Opposition to the fore over the nomination of Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan. Arithmetically, the third seat is considered to be in Congress’s favour. Politically, however, the BJP’s strategy appears to be less about winning the seat and more about compelling the Congress to publicly demonstrate its unity at a time when sections of its state leadership remain unhappy with the high command’s choice, functionaries from both parties told The Indian Express. By nominating Mahesh Kewat for the third seat, the BJP has shifted the contest beyond mere numbers, turning it into a test of loyalty within the Congress ranks. Also Read: Rajya Sabha Elections: How Parimal Nathwani’s Entry Complicates UPA’s Jharkhand Arithmetic “The BJP knows that arithmetic is difficult. But elections like these are often about exposing contradictions within rival parties. Even if the Congress wins, the BJP would consider it a success if it can make internal dissatisfaction visible," said a senior BJP leader. Kewat Vs Natarajan: Parties Gear Up For Poll Fight The BJP and the Congress have now shifted into election management mode. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held discussions with senior BJP leaders, following which the party decided to field Mahesh Kewat. Party leaders have also been asked to remain in Bhopal until the elections. Meanwhile, the Congress has been publicly rallying behind Meenakshi Natarajan by convening legislature party meetings, bringing MLAs to Bhopal, and mobilising leaders across rival factions, including former chief ministers Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh, state Congress chief Jitu Patwari, and Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar.

The Rajya Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh are being held for three seats. For the other two seats, the BJP has nominated Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agrawal. Also Read: Rajya Sabha Polls: Congress Eyes Shifting MLAs From MP, Jharkhand As Cross-Voting Shadow Looms Large Days before Kewat’s candidature was formally announced, senior BJP leaders, including state Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, had hinted at the possibility of the party fielding a third candidate. Those remarks quickly fuelled speculation as they came amid discussions over Natarajan’s selection as the Congress nominee. According to The Indian Express, several senior Congress leaders had hoped that the party high command would choose a candidate with a stronger organisational base in Madhya Pradesh. Natarajan’s Nomination Angers Congress Leaders, Triggers Resignation As soon as Natarajan’s candidature was announced, signs of discomfort surfaced from within the Congress itself. Senior party leader Naresh Gyanchandani publicly questioned the decision and warned that the move could create conditions of cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election. “There has been a major oversight in the candidate for Rajya Sabha…there is a risk of cross-voting here, if Singh had been renominated, the seat would have been safe," Gyanchandani said. As soon as Natarajan filed her nomination papers, Gyanchandani submitted his resignation. He said he decided to quit after the state leadership objected to a tweet in which he had sought to draw Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s attention to concerns over Natarajan’s selection. Also Read: Who Is Parimal Nathwani? BJP-Backed Independent in Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Race “I have regularly tweeted to Rahul Gandhi from time to time in the interest of the party. Yet, after serving the Congress honestly for 37 years, it is painful that a single tweet to Rahul Gandhi was not acceptable to the Madhya Pradesh leadership," Gyanchandani said. The Congress leadership quickly rallied behind its official nominee, but the controversy surrounding the selection provided the BJP with an opportunity to argue that the choice lacked unanimous support within the state unit. At the same time, party leaders privately admitted that the electoral numbers may not be as straightforward as they appear.