MUMBAI: In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections scheduled for September 3, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced the nomination of nine candidates, including Union Ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu from Rajasthan, George Kurian from Madhya Pradesh, and Dhairyashil Patil from Maharashtra.

Ten of these seats fell vacant as the sitting members, including Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Sarbananda Sonowal and Jyotiraditya Scindia, were elected to the Lok Sabha. Bypolls are also being held for two seats in Telangana and Odisha.

Ravneet Singh Bittu, who recently joined the BJP after a stint with the Congress, has been appointed as the party's candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat from Rajasthan. Bittu, the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, previously served as the Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Railways. His nomination is seen as a significant step for the BJP in consolidating its influence in Rajasthan, where the party currently holds power.

From Madhya Pradesh, George Kurian, also a Union Minister, has been nominated. Kurian's experience in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying positions him as a strong candidate to represent the state in the Upper House.

Dhairyashil Patil, a former MLA from the Peasants and Workers Party of India (PWP), has been selected to represent Maharashtra. Patil joined the BJP in February 2023 and is expected to strengthen the party's foothold in the state, especially following the recent resignations of two BJP MPs who vacated their seats to contest in the Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP's list also includes candidates from other states, such as Kiran Choudhary from Haryana, Mamata Mohanta from Odisha, and Rajib Bhattacharjee from Tripura, among others. This diverse slate of candidates reflects the party's strategy to bolster its representation across various regions in anticipation of the bypolls.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the BJP's nominations are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the Rajya Sabha, where the party aims to enhance its legislative strength. The upcoming elections will be closely watched as they could influence the party's positioning in the lead-up to future electoral contests.