08 June,2026 01:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Former Maharashtra MLC Rajendra Jain. PIC/X
Former Maharashtra MLC Rajendra Jain on Monday filed his nomination papers as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-election to be held on June 18, reported PTI.
Several senior leaders accompanied Jain during the nomination process, including Rajya Sabha MPs Praful Patel and Parth Pawar, Maharashtra NCP president and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare, and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal.
Ministers Ashish Shelar of the BJP and Bharat Gogawale of the Shiv Sena, both allies in the ruling Mahayuti coalition, were also present along with several NCP legislators.
Monday was the last day for filing nominations for the election, as per the news reports.
The Rajya Sabha bypoll became necessary after Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar resigned from the Upper House to join the Maharashtra government.
She took up the role following the death of her husband and then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati, Pune, earlier this year, reported the news agency.
Rajendra Jain is expected to secure the Rajya Sabha seat without a contest, as the Mahayuti alliance - which includes the BJP, NCP and the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, holds a comfortable majority in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
The assembly members form the electoral college for Rajya Sabha elections, giving the ruling alliance a clear advantage, as pr PTI.
Announcing the candidature on Sunday, Sunil Tatkare said Jain's name was finalised after discussions within the party leadership. "He was chosen unanimously after consultations within the party leadership," Tatkare said, reported PTI.
The NCP leader highlighted Jain's long political experience, noting that he represented the Bhandara-Gondia Local Authorities constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Council for 12 years.
As per the news agency, Tatkare said Jain's legislative and organisational experience would be an asset in the Upper House.
There had been speculation that senior NCP leader and cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal was among the frontrunners for the Rajya Sabha nomination.
Addressing the issue, Tatkare said the party would continue to function under Bhujbal's leadership and guidance. "The party will continue to function under his leadership and guidance," he said, signalling Bhujbal's continued importance within the organisation.
(With PTI Inputs)
