Rajya Sabha Bypoll: Congress Backs Independent Rajkumar Lohani Against Hardeep Puri in Madhya Pradesh

November 2, 2026

Bhopal: The Congress on Monday announced its support for independent candidate Rajkumar Lohani in the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypoll in Madhya Pradesh, setting up a contest against BJP nominee and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

Lohani filed his nomination papers on Monday in the presence of Congress MLA and Deputy Leader of Opposition Hemant Katare. Congress MLAs Atif Aqeel and Surendra Singh Honey Baghel, along with several other party leaders, were also present.

Lohani is a known political figure in Bhopal and lives in the Ghoda Nakkas area of Old Bhopal.

Despite the Congress backing an independent candidate, Puri has a numerical advantage in the election. The ruling BJP has 164 MLAs in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, giving it a strong position in the contest.

Why Is the Rajya Sabha Bypoll Being Held?

The bypoll became necessary after Union Minister of State L Murugan resigned from the Rajya Sabha and his ministerial position. His term in the Upper House was due to end on April 2, 2030. He resigned to focus on strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu.

The BJP has fielded 74-year-old Hardeep Singh Puri for the vacant seat. His term as a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh was scheduled to end on November 25.

Polling for the Madhya Pradesh seat is scheduled for November 12, from 9 am to 4 pm. Counting of votes will begin at 5 pm.

What Puri’s Election Affidavit Reveals

Puri’s nomination affidavit has also drawn attention to the assets and income declared by him and his wife, Laxmi Puri.

According to the affidavit, Hardeep Singh Puri has movable assets worth Rs 6.54 crore and immovable assets valued at Rs 20 crore. These include a residential property in Delhi’s West End area.

His annual income increased from Rs 63.36 lakh to Rs 75.57 lakh over the last five years, according to the declaration.

Laxmi Puri has declared movable assets worth Rs 10.66 crore and immovable assets valued at Rs 9 crore. The affidavit also lists a house in Greater Noida valued at Rs 19.52 lakh and an apartment in Geneva, Switzerland, valued at 3 million Swiss francs, or approximately Rs 34 crore.

She has also declared holdings of $290,658, equivalent to around Rs 2.75 crore.

The affidavit states that Laxmi Puri has higher annual income, movable assets and bank deposits than her husband.