Story perspectives

BJP and SP Seek Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha Seats October 16

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 10:36 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The BJP and Samajwadi Party are preparing for Uttar Pradesh’s Rajya Sabha elections on October 16, 2026, to fill ten seats.
BJP submitted a 25-person panel including Smriti Irani, Harish Dwivedi and Hardeep Singh Puri for final candidate selection.
BJP can secure seven seats and possibly an eighth, while SP can guarantee two seats.
Nominations opened on September 29, close on October 6, scrutiny on October 7, and withdrawals allowed until October 9.

History

Historical Context

In the 2014 general election the BJP secured an absolute majority with 282 Lok Sabha seats, allowing Narendra Modi to become prime minister on 26 May 2014. That win was followed by a sweep of 20 of 30 Rajya Sabha seats in 2016, reshaping legislative power. Now, on 16 October 2026, the BJP’s 25-candidate panel in Uttar Pradesh, including Smriti Irani, seeks to repeat that dominance.

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Story summary

The BJP and Samajwadi Party are preparing for Uttar Pradesh’s Rajya Sabha elections on October 16, 2026, to fill ten seats.
BJP submitted a 25-person panel including Smriti Irani, Harish Dwivedi and Hardeep Singh Puri for final candidate selection.
BJP can secure seven seats and possibly an eighth, while SP can guarantee two seats.
Nominations opened on September 29, close on October 6, scrutiny on October 7, and withdrawals allowed until October 9.

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