Chhagan Bhujbal sidelined, NCP’s Rajendra Jain files Rajya Sabha nomination

In this picture released on June 8, 2026, NCP national working president Praful Patel, Maharashtra party president Sunil Tatkare and others present as party candidate Rajendra Jain file their nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections in Mumbai. Image: X/@praful_patel via PTI

Former MLC Rajendra Jain of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday (June 8, 2026) filed his nomination as the NCP candidate in the presence of Mahayuti allies for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in Maharashtra. The by-poll, which was to be held on June 18, was scheduled after the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. She sidelined government and Other Backward Classes (OBC) leader Chhagan Bhujbal and handed over the nomination to Mr. Jain.

Mr. Bhujbal expressed his desire to secure a seat in the Rajya Sabha and a ministerial berth for his nephew Sameer Bhujbal.

While Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal denied feeling upset by the decision, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar or SP) leader Supriya Sule batted for him. Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal’s leadership deserved a national platform, Ms. Sule said. “India could have had a prominent national leader if he had been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. His way of speaking in Parliament, his speeches and his thoughts would have been impressive,” she said.

Responding to questions on how he made his decision, Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal said he was “a kabaddi player and not a chess player”. “I don’t know how to play chess,” he said, adding that he was assured things would change during the cabinet expansion.

Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal was earlier looking for a ministerial berth for his nephew before he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

“There are several political leaders who hold a position here and their relatives hold a position in Parliament. Take the example of Shinde saheb (Eknath Shinde is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, while his son Shrikant Shinde is an MP). I deserve a similar opportunity after decades of work in public life. My son (referring to his nephew and former MP Bhujbale) can be Minister Sameyer, can be Minister Bhujbale. Sabha,” he said.

There was a delay in sending the proposal forward and by the time the BJP was notified, there was very little time left to file the nomination, he said. “There is no truth in the reports that the BJP rejected the proposal. Am I upset? No. Why should I be upset?” he asked. “I should also get justice. If not today then tomorrow. If not tomorrow then the day after,” said Mr Chhagan Bhujbal.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Jain filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha in the presence of Mahayuti leaders. He is expected to win unopposed because Mahayuti has a majority in the legislature that makes up the electoral college for the vote. Mr. Jain, a former MLC who represented the Bhandara-Gondia Local Authority constituency for 12 years, said he was a staunch follower of the late Ajit Pawar. The Vidarbha leader is known to be close to former Union minister and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel.

Monday was the last day to submit nominations for the election. Nominations will be reviewed on June 9. The deadline for withdrawing nominations is June 11. The election will be held on June 18 and the results will be announced after counting on the same day.

Published – 08 Jun 2026 23:07 IST