• Source:JND

Rajya Sabha Elections 2026: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Thursday released its list of candidates for the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections, declaring seven names, including the party chief, Mallikarjun Kharge. There was a surprise name, Meenakshi Natarajan, a senior leader from Madhya Pradesh and former Lok Sabha MP from Mandsaur.

The nomination of Natarajan has sparked a stir in Madhya Pradesh's political circle. The decision by the party high command is being seen as a strategy to balance factions within the state organisation and prioritise leaders loyal to Rahul Gandhi.

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Several prominent names were in the running for the Rajya Sabha seat from the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, but the party leadership ultimately approved Natarajan. Natarajan, who began her career in student politics (NSUI), has been a key member of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi's core team. She reached Parliament in 2009 by winning the Lok Sabha elections from the Mandsaur seat in Madhya Pradesh. Currently, she holds a senior position in the organisation as the in-charge of Telangana Congress.

Interesting Contest In Madhya Pradesh

The BJP already announced Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Aggarwal as candidates from Madhya Pradesh, while the Congress nominated Natarajan. In the 230-member assembly, each and every candidate needs 58 MLAs' votes. Congress is apprehensive despite having a required tally. Congress has 65 MLAs, but cross-voting may spoil the party's attempt to send Natrajan to the Upper House.

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Here Is The Congress Candidate List

  • Karnataka: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Mansoor Ali Khan, and Pawan Khera.
  • Madhya Pradesh: Meenakshi Natarajan.
  • Rajasthan: Neeraj Dangi.
  • Tamil Nadu: Praveen Chakraborty.
  • Jharkhand: Pranav Jha

(With Naidunia.com inputs)


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