BJP’s Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha shortlist ready:Vijayvargiya, Narottam, Bhadauria in fray; RSS leaders also in contention

Elections for 26 Rajya Sabha seats across the country will be held on June 18, with results expected the same day. Madhya Pradesh will elect three members to the Upper House, including two seats currently held by the BJP and one by the Congress. The BJP is expected to announce its candidates within the next three to four days. The party’s Madhya Pradesh unit has reportedly forwarded a panel of probable candidates to the central leadership. While discussions are underway on fielding a general category candidate, the shortlist includes leaders from various social categories. According to party sources, the names under consideration include state minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, former ministers Arvind Bhadauria and Dr Narottam Mishra, former Madhya Pradesh Small Industries Corporation chairman Akhand Pratap Singh, and tribal leader GS Damor. Former minister Ranjana Baghel is among the names being considered from the women’s quota. The list also reportedly includes Abhay Mahajan, president of the Deendayal Research Institute and associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), as well as Mahesh Sharma, who oversees Sangh activities in the tribal belt of Jhabua. Vijayvargiya keen on national role Sources said Kailash Vijayvargiya has expressed his desire to move to national politics and step away from the state cabinet. He has conveyed his preference to the party’s central leadership. A seven-time MLA, Vijayvargiya has served as Indore mayor, BJP Yuva Morcha state president and BJP national general secretary. Arvind Bhadauria, another contender, has a long association with the RSS and has handled organisational responsibilities in the Bundelkhand region for the BJP. Former home minister Dr Narottam Mishra, a six-time MLA from Dabra and Datia, is also being seen as a strong contender. Considered close to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mishra is known for his understanding of parliamentary affairs and influence within the Brahmin community. Akhand Pratap Singh, who previously headed the Madhya Pradesh Small Industries Corporation, contested Assembly elections from Mauganj in 2003 and 2008 on a BJP ticket. Tribal and SC leaders in contention Among tribal leaders, incumbent Rajya Sabha MP Dr Sumer Singh Solanki remains a prominent face. A resident of Barwani district, Solanki has worked extensively in tribal areas through the Sangh. Former MP GS Damor is also under consideration. Damor won the 2018 Jhabua Assembly bypoll by defeating Vikrant Bhuria, son of senior Congress leader Kantilal Bhuria, and was later elected to the Lok Sabha in 2019. Before entering politics, he served as chief engineer in the Water Resources Department. Ranjana Baghel, a three-time MLA from Manawar in Dhar district and a former Women and Child Development minister, is another name being discussed. From the Scheduled Caste category, BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha national president Lal Singh Arya is also in the race. Arya has represented the Gohad Assembly constituency in Bhind district three times. BJP unlikely to contest Congress-held seat The third Rajya Sabha seat from Madhya Pradesh is currently held by the Congress, represented by Digvijaya Singh, who is serving his second term in the Upper House. According to sources, the BJP is not inclined to field a candidate for this seat. The party’s central leadership has reportedly advised leaders to avoid public speculation regarding any contest for the Congress-held berth.