BJP Nominates Dinesh Arya and Koel Mallick for Rajya Sabha Elections
The BJP has officially announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, with Dinesh Arya representing Uttarakhand and Koel Mallick from West Bengal.
Dinesh Arya will contest the Rajya Sabha elections in Uttarakhand due to Naresh Bansal's term completion.
Koel Mallick, a former Trinamool Congress member, is the BJP's candidate for the West Bengal by-election.
Polling for the Rajya Sabha elections is scheduled for October 16, 2026.
On October 4, 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced Dinesh Arya as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha biennial elections in Uttarakhand, while Rukmini Mallick, known as Koel Mallick, will represent West Bengal. This decision comes as the current Rajya Sabha member from Uttarakhand, Naresh Bansal, completes his term, necessitating a by-election.
Koel Mallick, an actress who transitioned into politics, recently joined the BJP after resigning from her position as a Rajya Sabha member with the Trinamool Congress in July. Her departure left a vacancy that requires a by-election in West Bengal. The Election Commission of India had previously announced the biennial elections for 11 Rajya Sabha seats, including a by-election for West Bengal, set for October 16.
The elections will fill 11 seats, with 10 from Uttar Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand. The West Bengal election is specifically to address the casual vacancy created by Mallick's resignation. The election notification was issued on September 29, with the last date for filing nominations on October 6, followed by scrutiny on October 7 and withdrawal of candidatures by October 9.
In Uttar Pradesh, the terms of 10 sitting Rajya Sabha members are expiring, including notable figures such as Arun Singh and Ram Gopal Yadav. Meanwhile, the BJP has also announced candidates for the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, indicating strategic planning within the party for upcoming polls.
Looking ahead, the Rajya Sabha elections will take place on October 16, with polling scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and vote counting commencing at 5 p.m. The BJP's selection of candidates reflects its ongoing efforts to strengthen its position in both the Rajya Sabha and state legislative councils across India.
