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How BJP Finalized Rajya Sabha Candidates and Left Veterans Behind
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News18•07-10-2026, 11:00
How BJP Finalized Rajya Sabha Candidates and Left Veterans Behind
- •The BJP has finalized candidates for 8 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, balancing upper castes, backward castes, Dalits, and women.
- •Dharampal Singh secured a ticket for his long-standing loyalty and strong standing within the Lodh community.
- •Ramakant Ojha and Gopi Krishna Pandey made the list due to strong backing from the RSS.
- •Priyanka Rawat and Rampratap Singh Chauhan were rewarded for their continued dedication despite losing previous tickets.
- •Shruti Gangawar was chosen to honor the legacy of veteran Kurmi leader Santosh Gangawar.
Key Questions Answered
The BJP Central Election Committee finalized candidates for 8 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh by balancing political equations, fielding 3 upper-caste, 3 backward-caste, 2 Dalit, and 2 women candidates for the upcoming assembly elections.
Dharampal Singh, an old BJP cadre and the UP Minister for Animal Husbandry, was chosen because he is widely accepted in the Lodh community—a traditional BJP vote bank among OBCs—and remained with the party during past splits.
The party high command placed its trust in the family of veteran leader Santosh Gangawar by making his daughter, Shruti Gangawar, a Rajya Sabha candidate.
