BJP's Dinesh Arya to File Nomination for Uttarakhand Rajya Sabha Seat Today

According to the scheduled programme, BJP MLAs are expected to assemble at the Assembly by 10 a.m., following which Arya will submit his nomination papers at 11 a.m.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with senior BJP leaders and key party office-bearers, will be present during the nomination process.

Arya's nomination will formally set the BJP's campaign in motion for the Rajya Sabha election in the state. The participation of the party's legislators and senior leadership is also expected to demonstrate coordination within the BJP ahead of the poll.

The BJP had announced Arya as its candidate on Sunday for the 2026 Rajya Sabha biennial election in Uttarakhand.

The election has been necessitated by the completion of the term of sitting Rajya Sabha member Naresh Bansal.

The Election Commission of India announced the schedule on September 22 for biennial elections to 11 Rajya Sabha seats, along with a separate by-election for one seat in West Bengal. The polls are scheduled for October 16.

Of the 11 seats going to the polls in the biennial elections, 10 are from Uttar Pradesh and one is from Uttarakhand. The West Bengal election will fill a casual vacancy in the Rajya Sabha.

As per the election schedule, nomination papers will be scrutinised on October 7, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 9.

Polling for the Rajya Sabha seats will take place on October 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with counting scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. the same day.

With Arya set to file his nomination, the BJP will formally enter the electoral process for the Uttarakhand Rajya Sabha seat.