The nomination puts an end to weeks of uncertainty surrounding the leader's cabinet role ahead of his term expiring on November 25. The Upper House vacancy opened up after L Murugan stepped down from his ministerial post and parliament three years early. Moving Puri allows the party to preserve complex regional and caste equations in Uttar Pradesh while ensuring Sikh representation at the national level.
Key points
The parliamentary nomination ensures Hardeep Singh Puri will remain in the central govern…: The parliamentary nomination ensures Hardeep Singh Puri will remain in the central government past November 25.
Accommodating Puri from Madhya Pradesh allows the party to maintain its rainbow of caste…: Accommodating Puri from Madhya Pradesh allows the party to maintain its rainbow of caste coalitions in Uttar Pradesh.
Retaining Puri in the council of ministers keeps the sole Sikh representative in the cabi…: Retaining Puri in the council of ministers keeps the sole Sikh representative in the cabinet ahead of Punjab's elections.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
NEW DELHI: Union minister
Hardeep Singh Puri was Wednesday named
BJP’s candidate for RS by-election from MP, clearing the path for his continuation in govt following weeks of uncertainty after he was not nominated from UP, the state he had represented as a parliamentarian since 2018.
By-election from MP was necessitated by the resignation of L Murugan from the council of ministers and RS three years before his term was to end.
Puri’s term ends Nov 25, and he is set to be elected by Nov 16, the deadline for polling to be over. BJP’s majority in MP assembly guarantees his victory.
BJP brass’ decision not to name him as party’s nominees from UP had surprised political circles as Puri (74) is the lone Sikh face in govt. Sikh-majority Punjab is going to polls with four other states, including UP. However, BJP’s calculation for UP is now clear: it chose to stick to a rainbow of caste coalitions while picking candidates and create vacancy for Puri from another state.
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