RS bypoll from MP: Union Minister Hardeep Puri set to win as nominations of 2 others rejected (File image) Bhopal: Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is set to win the Rajya Sabha by-election from Madhya Pradesh unopposed after the nomination papers of two independent candidates, including one backed by the Congress, were rejected on Tuesday. The result will be announced on November 5, the last date for withdrawal of nominations, an official said. On the final day of scrutiny, the nomination papers of independent candidates Kante Sayanna and Congress-backed Rajkumar Lohani were rejected, the official said. Meanwhile, the two candidates, along with Congress leader Hemant Katare, had objected to Puri's nomination, claiming that his affidavit in Form 26 was invalid and incomplete. Returning Officer Umesh Sharma examined the objections and ruled that Puri had not violated any provisions of the Representation of the People Act. Sharma said in his order that no defect was found in Puri's nomination papers. Katare and Congress MLA Atif Aqeel said they would challenge the order in court. "This is an attack on Indian democracy. Despite such significant errors, the nomination was not rejected," they said in a statement. The Rajya Sabha seat fell vacant after Union Minister L Murugan resigned from the Upper House. Anurag Kumar is an Assistant Editor at Times Now, leading the News Desk and driving coverage across politics and key national developments. With over ... View More