Politics – Rajya Sabha Election Battle Intensifies Ahead of Key Retirements
Politics – Political parties across the country have started preparing for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections as 22 members of the Upper House are scheduled to complete their terms in June 2026. The changing numbers in several state Assemblies have added fresh importance to the contest, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress closely assessing their chances.
Focus Shifts to Karnataka Contest
Among the leaders retiring this year are Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress figure Digvijaya Singh, former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, and Union Minister George Kurian. Of the 22 seats becoming vacant, 11 are currently held by the BJP, while the Congress controls four.
Political attention is especially centred on Karnataka, where four Rajya Sabha seats are due for election. These include seats represented by Kharge, Deve Gowda, and BJP leaders K. Narayan and Eranna Kadadi. With a stronger position in the Karnataka Assembly after recent political developments, the Congress is aiming to improve its tally from one seat to three.
Party insiders indicate that Kharge is likely to return to the Upper House, while discussions continue over the allocation of the remaining seats.
Congress Evaluates State-Wise Prospects
Beyond Karnataka, the Congress leadership is reviewing its electoral possibilities in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Jharkhand. The party is expected to comfortably retain one Rajya Sabha seat each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, the political situation in Gujarat appears more difficult because of the BJP’s dominant numbers in the state Assembly.
The Congress is also hopeful of securing representation from Jharkhand with the support of its alliance partner, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Party strategists believe coalition arithmetic could help strengthen its presence in the Upper House.
Rajasthan Leaders in Consideration
Several senior Congress figures are being discussed for possible nomination from Rajasthan. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot remains one of the prominent names under consideration. Other leaders reportedly being evaluated include Bhanwar Jitendra Singh and Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera.
Sources within the party also suggest that sitting Rajya Sabha MP Neeraj Dangi could be considered for another term, depending on the final political calculations and internal consensus.
Madhya Pradesh Race Remains Sensitive
In Madhya Pradesh, discussions within the Congress have reportedly included former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, senior leader Meenakshi Natarajan, and state Congress president Jitu Patwari.
At the same time, uncertainty remains over the future of Digvijaya Singh in the Rajya Sabha. Reports indicate that Singh may not seek another term, which could prompt the party leadership to field a senior and widely acceptable candidate to avoid the risk of cross-voting during the election process.
The numbers in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly remain tight for the Congress. The party reportedly has only a narrow vote margin, making careful candidate selection essential for retaining its seat.
Gujarat Representation at Risk
The Congress may face a significant setback in Gujarat, where the retirement of senior leader Shaktisinh Gohil could leave the party without representation in the Rajya Sabha from the state. With the BJP enjoying a comfortable majority in the Gujarat Assembly, the Congress has limited scope to alter the outcome.
As preparations gather pace, the Rajya Sabha elections are expected to become an important political test ahead of future national contests, with parties focusing heavily on state-level arithmetic, alliances, and internal leadership decisions.