Three in race for Congress’s one secure seat in RS from Raj

Jaipur: With elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan scheduled for June 18, former Assembly Speaker Dr C P Joshi, outgoing Rajya Sabha MP Neeraj Dangi and AICC media and publicity dept chairman Pawan Khera have emerged as the leading contenders for the one seat Congress is expected to win.

The terms of Congress Rajya Sabha MP Neeraj Dangi and BJP leaders Rajendra Gehlot and Union minister Ravneet Singh are set to expire on June 21, 2026. Rajasthan has 10 Rajya Sabha seats, with BJP and Congress currently holding five each. Based on the party position in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, BJP is expected to retain two seats, while Congress is likely to win one.

Among Congress’s five Rajya Sabha MPs from Rajasthan, only Dangi is from the state. Sonia Gandhi, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Kumar Tiwari are from outside Rajasthan. Sources said no formal consultations have yet taken place with the Rajasthan Congress leadership on the party nominee, though lobbying within the party has intensified.

Dangi, considered close to former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, is learnt to be seeking a second term and has reportedly been in regular touch with the party high command.

Khera is also said to be making efforts to secure the nomination, citing his roots in Udaipur. Though born in Rajasthan, his political career has largely been centred in Delhi. During the July 2022 Rajya Sabha elections, when four seats from Rajasthan were at stake, Khera was hopeful of a nomination. However, Congress fielded Randeep Singh Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari instead, prompting Khera to post on X: “Perhaps my hard work was lacking.”

Party sources said Joshi has also emerged as a strong contender. A veteran Congress leader who has served as Union minister, Assembly Speaker, MLA and MP, Joshi is considered a prominent face from the politically significant Mewar region.

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Rajya Sabha Poll Schedule

Issue of Notification: June 1 (Monday)

Last Date for Filing Nominations: June 8 (Monday)

Scrutiny of Nominations: June 9 (Tuesday)

Last Date for Withdrawal: June 11 (Thursday)

Polling Date: June 18 (Thursday)

Voting Hours: 9am to 4pm

Counting: June 18 (Thursday) from 5pm onwards