Lucknow: The race for eight Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh is picking up, with the Samajwadi Party surprising many by naming Gujarat-based businessman Dhanraj Nathwani as a candidate. The BJP’s UP unit has also sent a list of around 25 probable names to the party’s central leadership for consideration, which includes senior leaders like Smriti Irani, Hardeep Singh Puri, Sanjeev Balyan and former Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas.
The final decision on the candidates will be taken by the central leadership, with eight names expected to be finalised from the panel, party sources said.
Among the names generating the most discussion within BJP circles is that of poet and former AAP leader Kumar Vishwas. His inclusion is being seen as notable because he has not been part of the BJP’s organisational structure. Leaders in the UP BJP, however, said his name had also figured in discussions during the previous Rajya Sabha elections, although he was not eventually nominated.
Vishwas, who is from the Brahmin community, is also considered close to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, according to BJP leaders.
The panel also includes senior BJP leaders such as Smriti Irani, Sanjeev Balyan, Hardeep Singh Puri, B. L. Verma, Rajveer Singh, Harish Dwivedi, Subrat Pathak, Tryambak Tripathi, Durvijay Shakya and Suresh Rana.
Other names on the list include Geeta Shakya, Rekha Verma, Priyanka Rawat, Kaushal Kishore, Kameshwar Singh, Dilip Patel, Anil Agarwal, Rajendra Agarwal, Mamtesh Shakya, Ramapati Ram Tripathi, Satyapal Singh, Brijlal, Ram Shankar Katheria and Prakash Pal.
The four prominent women leaders in the list are Smriti Irani, Geeta Shakya, Rekha Verma and Priyanka Rawat. Party sources said caste, regional and gender representation were among factors considered while preparing the list.
The BJP is also weighing whether to retain experienced leaders in the Rajya Sabha or bring in relatively new faces, sources said.
Sanjeev Balyan’s name has been included with an eye on the Jat community in western Uttar Pradesh, according to party leaders. Some leaders in the western UP organisation believe the BJP should not remain entirely dependent on ally Jayant Chaudhary to consolidate its support among Jats, sources said.
Smriti Irani and Harish Dwivedi are among those considered due to their national organisational roles in the party.
Kalyan Singh’s son among probables
Rajveer Singh, son of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, has also been included in the panel. Party leaders said his candidature could help the BJP send a message to the Lodh community. Rajveer Singh lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Etah.
Another source revealed that Varun Gandhi’s name does not figure in the list, despite speculation that the party could consider him for a Rajya Sabha seat. However, the source added that Varun cannot be ruled out of the race yet, as the final decision rests with the BJP’s central leadership.
According to party sources, the names were discussed and shortlisted by the UP BJP’s core committee. The first meeting was held at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s residence and was attended by the chief minister and the two deputy chief ministers, among other senior leaders. Later, party state president Pankaj Chaudhary and organisational incharge Dharampal Singh held another meeting Wednesday.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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