The BJP today announced Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for a Rajya Sabha by-poll in Uttar Pradesh.  The seat fell vacant following the resignation of Manohar Parrikar, who quit after he became Goa chief minister.
Puri was sworn in as a Union minister in September. He is not a member of Parliament and will have to elected within six months of taking oath. His election is all but certain due to the BJP’s massive strength in the state assembly.