Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is likely to secure an unopposed victory in the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha bypoll after the nomination papers of two independent candidates were rejected during scrutiny on Tuesday.
The rejected candidates included Kante Sayanna and Rajkumar Lohani, who was backed by the Congress. The seat fell vacant following the resignation of Union Minister L Murugan.
The candidates had also raised objections to Puri’s nomination, alleging errors in his Form 26 affidavit. However, Returning Officer Umesh Sharma dismissed the objections, stating that Puri’s nomination papers complied with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
Congress leaders Hemant Katare and Atif Aqeel criticised the decision and announced plans to challenge it in court.
The final result is scheduled to be declared on November 5, the last date for withdrawal of nominations.