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

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

Mr. Bhujbal had 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 had he been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. His way of speaking in Parliament, his speeches, and his ideas would have been impressive,” she said.

In response to questions on how he was taking the decision, Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal said he was “a kabaddi player and not a chess player”. “I do not know how to play chess,” he said, adding that he had been assured things would change during Cabinet expansion.

Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal had earlier sought 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 kin hold a position in the 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 working for decades in public life. My son (referring to his nephew and former MP Sameer Bhujbal) can be made a Minister, and I can go to the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

There had been a delay in sending the proposal ahead, and by the time it was communicated to the BJP, there had been very little time left for the filing of 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,” Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal said.

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 as the Mahayuti enjoys a majority in the Legislative Assembly, which forms the electoral college for the poll. Mr. Jain, a former MLC who represented the Bhandara-Gondia Local Authorities constituency for 12 years, said he was a loyal 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 for the filing of nominations for the election. The nominations will be scrutinised on June 9. The last date for the withdrawal of nomination is June 11. The polls will be held on June 18, and the results will be declared after counting on the same day.