# Hardeep Singh Puri elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha

> Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri wins the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha seat after rival nominations are rejected.
- Title: Hardeep Singh Puri elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha | Shortify
- Summary: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri wins the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha seat after rival nominations are rejected.
- Keywords: hardeep singh puri, rajya sabha, madhya pradesh, bjp, by-election, petroleum and natural gas ministry, india, The Indian Express
- Source: The Indian Express — https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hardeep-singh-puri-elected-unopposed-rajya-sabha-madhya-pradesh-10952368
- Author: Anand Mohan J
- Published: 2026-11-05T14:23:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hardeep singh puri, rajya sabha, madhya pradesh, bjp, by-election, petroleum and natural gas ministry, news, india, politics
## Puri elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was formally declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh on Thursday.
## Rival candidates rejected during scrutiny
The Returning Officer rejected the nominations of independent candidates Rajkumar Lohani and Kante Sayanna during scrutiny on November 3, leaving Puri as the sole candidate.
## Why Lohani's nomination was rejected
Rajkumar Lohani failed to submit the mandatory Form 26 affidavit within the prescribed deadline, which requires candidates to disclose criminal cases, assets and liabilities.
## Why Sayanna's nomination was rejected
Kante Sayanna's nomination was rejected for failing to meet the requirement of obtaining the prescribed number of proposers for the Rajya Sabha candidacy.
## Congress objections also rejected
The Congress raised objections to Puri's nomination, questioning aspects of the documents submitted with his papers. The Returning Officer rejected the objections after examining the documents.
## By-election triggered by Murugan's resignation
The by-election was necessitated by the resignation of Union Minister of State L Murugan from the Rajya Sabha on October 14. Murugan's term was scheduled to end in April 2030.
## Puri's background and political career
Puri, seventy four, is a former Indian Foreign Service officer who served as the country's permanent representative to the United Nations from two thousand nine to two thousand thirteen.
## Puri's ministerial positions and Rajya Sabha tenure
Puri entered the Rajya Sabha in January two thousand eighteen and was re-elected in two thousand twenty.
## Key takeaway

Hardeep Singh Puri was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh after the nominations of two independent candidates were rejected during scrutiny.