Stories
BJP's UP Rajya Sabha Ticket Buzz: Smriti Irani, Varun Gandhi Among Contenders, Delhi to Decide
N
News18•28-09-2026, 10:50
BJP's UP Rajya Sabha Ticket Buzz: Smriti Irani, Varun Gandhi Among Contenders, Delhi to Decide
- •The process to decide BJP's 8 Rajya Sabha seats in UP has begun, with intense speculation over candidates.
- •A panel will be formed in Lucknow, but the final decision rests with the Central Election Committee in Delhi, led by PM Modi, Amit Shah, and the BJP National President.
- •Smriti Irani and Harish Dwivedi are strong contenders; Varun Gandhi's name is also in consideration.
- •Regional and social equations will be crucial in candidate selection, keeping the 2027 assembly elections in mind.
- •Sanjeev Balyan from Western UP is also being discussed to balance Jat voters and regional representation.
Key Questions Answered
The BJP's state unit will brainstorm potential names and prepare a panel during a core committee meeting in Lucknow. These names will then be sent to Delhi for final approval by the Central Election Committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the party's national president.
The official announcement of the candidates' names is expected to be made in the first week of October 2026.
Former Union Minister Smriti Irani and former MP Harish Dwivedi are in strong contention, while names like Varun Gandhi, Sanjeev Balyan, and existing MPs such as BL Verma, Brijlal, Geeta Shakya, and Seema Dwivedi are also under consideration.
