Hardeep Singh Puri Nomination Controversy: A major political controversy has surfaced during the scrutiny of nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha by-elections to be held in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA from Ater assembly constituency Hemant Katare has lodged an official objection before the Returning Officer raising serious questions against the nomination paper of BJP candidate and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari, informing about this through e-mail, said that the election affidavit submitted by the BJP candidate has several serious discrepancies and defects, due to which his candidature deserves to be cancelled.
Serious allegation of concealment of particulars in affidavit
According to Jitu Patwari, the official objection filed by MLA Hemant Katare before the Returning Officer states that Hardeep Singh Puri did not mention the name of his wife and the details of the properties owned by him in his election affidavit. Apart from this, several doubts have also been raised about the true valuation of his Geneva-based apartment and foreign bank accounts of valuable assets. Congress has also questioned the legality and procedure of notarization of nomination affidavit.
Congress strikes against BJP policy and impartiality of Election Commission
The Madhya Pradesh Congress President hit out at the BJP and asked what explanation the BJP, which talks about ethics and transparency, will give against such serious mistakes in its candidate’s affidavit? Will the BJP use its power to try to suppress the whole issue? The Congress has strongly demanded from the Election Commission that these objections should be investigated impartially, strictly and seriously as all the rules are the same for every candidate so that the transparency of the election process is maintained.
Rajya Sabha elections will be held on November 12
It is worth mentioning that the polling for this vacant Rajya Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh is going to be held on November 12. BJP had announced the candidature of Hardeep Singh Puri on October 28 last, after which he filed his nomination paper on October 31. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs L. There was a vacancy after Murugan’s resignation. The last date for filling the nomination forms was completed on November 2, 2026, while form verification is being conducted today, November 3, 2026. Candidates can withdraw their nomination papers till November 5, 2026.