BJP considers Smriti Irani and Varun Gandhi for UP Rajya Sabha polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is evaluating candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, scheduled for October 16. Ten seats are up for election, with the BJP expected to secure between seven and eight seats based on its assembly strength, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) is likely to win two.

Prominent names under consideration for the BJP include former Union Minister Smriti Irani, former MP Varun Gandhi, and National General Secretary Harish Dwivedi. The party is also weighing candidates from various social groups, including Jats, Rajputs, OBCs, and minorities, as part of a strategy ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Other potential candidates mentioned include Sanjeev Baliyan, Satyapal Singh, Suresh Rana, and Amit Malviya.

The vacancies arise from the expiration of terms for several members and the resignation of Dinesh Sharma following his appointment as Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The selection process involves a panel from the state unit in Lucknow, with the final decision to be made by the BJP's Central Election Committee in Delhi, led by senior leadership.