State Focus Madhya Pradesh Election Polity & Governance

Hardeep Singh Puri is elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh

5 November 2026

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was declared elected unopposed in the Rajya Sabha bypoll from Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. The nominations of the two other candidates were rejected at scrutiny, which left him as the only one in the field, so no vote was needed. Returning Officer Umesh Sharma made the declaration on the last day for withdrawing nominations. The seat fell vacant when L Murugan resigned from the Upper House. Murugan's term was due to end on April 2, 2030, and the new member serves only the rest of that term. The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament; its members from a state are elected by the elected members of that state's legislative assembly.

Elected member: Hardeep Singh Puri Vacancy caused by: L Murugan Term of the seat ends: April 2, 2030

Why it matters for exams: How Rajya Sabha members are elected, their six-year term and the Article that sets up the Council of States are standard Polity questions.

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5 November 2026 Source: The Tribune (PTI)

In plain words

Bypoll By-election — An election held to fill a seat that falls vacant before its term ends.

Returning Officer Returning Officer — The official who receives nominations, conducts the election and declares the result for a seat.

Scrutiny Scrutiny of nominations — The stage at which nomination papers are checked and invalid ones rejected.