Rajya Sabha elections 2026: BJP picks Tarun Chugh from Madhya Pradesh, ends speculation around Bittu and Jakhar

PTC Web Desk: Putting an end to weeks of political speculation surrounding Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, the BJP on Thursday nominated its national general secretary Tarun Chugh as its Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh for the 2026 biennial elections.

The decision comes amid persistent discussions within political circles that Bittu could be sent to the Rajya Sabha from another state to strengthen the BJP's position in Punjab, while some reports had also linked Jakhar's name to a possible Upper House berth. However, the party leadership chose Tarun Chugh, a key organisational strategist and one of the BJP's prominent faces in Punjab, for the Madhya Pradesh seat.

The BJP released a list of candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections across several states. From Arunachal Pradesh, the party has nominated Tai Tagak. In Gujarat, Rajubhai Shukla, Mukeshbhai Rathwa and Mansingh Parmar have been fielded. Apart from Tarun Chugh, Rajneesh Agrawal has been nominated from Madhya Pradesh.

In Manipur, the BJP has named A Sharda Devi as its candidate, while Alka Gurjar and Satish Poonia will contest from Rajasthan.

The party also announced its candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Odisha. Debashish Samantaray, a former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader who recently joined the BJP, has been nominated for the vacant seat. His selection is being viewed as a significant political message from the BJP as it continues to expand its influence in Odisha following its recent electoral gains in the state.

The nomination of Tarun Chugh is particularly noteworthy given his long-standing association with the BJP's national organisation and his active involvement in Punjab politics.