Hardeep Singh Puri Elected Unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh after the nominations of two other candidates were rejected, leaving him as the only candidate in the fray.

Returning Officer Umesh Sharma formally announced Puri’s election on Thursday, the final day for withdrawal of nominations.

The nomination of Rajkumar Lohani, backed by the Congress, was rejected for failing to submit the mandatory affidavit. The nomination of independent candidate Kante Sayanna was also rejected during scrutiny.

With both nominations out of the contest, Puri remained the sole candidate and was declared elected unopposed.

The seat had fallen vacant following the resignation of Union minister L Murugan.

BJP Madhya Pradesh president Hemant Khandelwal received the certificate of election on Puri’s behalf at the Vidhan Sabha in Bhopal.