Nominations begin for 37 Rajya Sabha seats as the Election Commission of India announces the schedule. Polling on March 16 will fill vacancies across 10 states, with BJP and Congress finalizing candidates for the crucial Upper House elections.
The nomination process for the biennial elections to 37 seats in the Rajya Sabha commenced on Thursday, marking a significant step in India’s parliamentary calendar. The elections, overseen by the Election Commission of India, aim to fill vacancies arising from 10 states as the terms of incumbent members conclude in April 2026.
The Rajya Sabha, officially known as the Council of States, represents the federal structure of India’s parliamentary democracy. These upcoming elections are crucial in shaping the legislative arithmetic of the Upper House, especially at a time when key policy debates are expected in the coming months.
Election Schedule and Key Dates
The Election Commission had earlier, on February 18, announced the detailed schedule for the biennial elections. As per the official notification, polling will be conducted on March 16 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The counting of votes will take place at 5:00 p.m. on the same day.
The scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled for March 6, while March 9 has been designated as the final date for withdrawal of candidature. The Commission has emphasized that the entire process will adhere strictly to the prescribed timeline to ensure transparency, fairness, and procedural integrity.
In a bid to maintain uniformity and prevent disputes, the Commission has mandated the use of integrated violet sketch pens of pre-determined specifications, to be supplied exclusively by the Returning Officer, for marking ballot preferences. The use of any other writing instrument will render the ballot invalid.
Observers will be deployed across states to monitor the electoral process. The Commission has reiterated that strict compliance with election guidelines is mandatory for all stakeholders involved.
States Going to Polls
The 37 seats falling vacant belong to members representing Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana. Political dynamics in these states are expected to influence the final outcome, given the strength of various parties in respective legislative assemblies.
BJP Announces Candidates Across States
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has declared a list of candidates for multiple states. Among those nominated are Nitin Nabin and Shivesh Kumar from Bihar; Terash Gowalla and Jogen Mohan from Assam; Laxmi Verma from Chhattisgarh; Sanjay Bhatia from Haryana; Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar from Odisha; and Rahul Sinha from West Bengal.
The party has also nominated Vinod Tawde, its National General Secretary and in charge of Bihar, marking his return to parliamentary politics after remaining outside the legislative arena since 2019. Additionally, Ramdas Athawale, National President of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) and a sitting Union Minister of State, has been renominated.
Other nominees include Maya Chintaman Ivnate, a prominent tribal leader and former Mayor of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, and Ramrao Wadkute from the Dhangar community in Hingoli district.
Congress Backs Sharad Pawar
Meanwhile, the Congress party has extended its support to Nationalist Congress Party–Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP) chief and former Union Minister Sharad Pawar for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls. The decision was announced during a press conference attended by senior party leaders, reflecting broader opposition coordination in certain states.
The move is seen as part of strategic political realignments ahead of key legislative sessions and future electoral battles.
Political Significance
With 37 seats at stake, the elections are expected to influence the balance of power in the Rajya Sabha. Although the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has maintained a strong presence in recent years, opposition parties are seeking to consolidate their positions in states where they command numerical strength.
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The Rajya Sabha plays a pivotal role in reviewing and passing legislation, particularly constitutional amendments and bills that require approval from both Houses of Parliament. The outcome of these elections will therefore have long-term implications for governance, legislative reforms, and federal relations.
As nominations begin, political parties are intensifying internal consultations and alliance negotiations. The coming weeks are likely to witness heightened political activity across the states heading to polls, underscoring the importance of these biennial elections in shaping India’s parliamentary landscape.
