BJP announces RS candidate from Karnataka, signals end of HD Deve Gowda’s Parliamentary career

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jun 8, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced the candidature of Prof. (Dr.) M. Nagaraja for the Rajya Sabha elections from Karnataka, a move that effectively signals the end of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda’s long parliamentary career.

The announcement came late Sunday night as the BJP released its list of candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. With only one of Karnataka’s four Rajya Sabha seats within the BJP’s reach based on current Assembly strength, the party’s decision to field Nagaraja leaves little room for the re-election of Deve Gowda, one of the retiring members.

In Karnataka, the BJP has two retiring Rajya Sabha MPs, while its ally, the Janata Dal (Secular), has one. The Congress also has one retiring member. Given its numerical majority in the Karnataka Assembly, the Congress is expected to secure three of the four seats, leaving the remaining seat to the BJP-led opposition.

The Congress has fielded Mallikarjun Kharge, Mansoor Ali Khan and Pawan Khera as its candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls.

The BJP also announced a third candidate for the Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh, setting the stage for a contest in the state. The party has fielded Mahesh Kewat alongside its official candidates, Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agrawal, potentially complicating the prospects of Congress nominee Meenakshi Natarajan.

Political observers believe the BJP is banking on possible cross-voting to improve Kewat’s chances. Based on the current Assembly composition, the BJP is expected to win two seats, while the Congress is likely to secure one.

Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is among the retiring Rajya Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh.

In addition, the BJP announced the candidature of Lingaraj Patil and Raghu Kautilya for the Karnataka Legislative Council elections.