Union Minister Hardeep Puri nominated for third Rajya Sabha term

NEW DELHI: BJP has nominated Union minister Hardeep Puri for a third term in the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, signalling that the party is likely to retain him in the Union Cabinet till the next Lok Sabha elections in 2029.

Puri, 74, is the lone Sikh face in the Union Cabinet and currently is in charge of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. His re-nomination also marks a relatively rare third Rajya Sabha term for a BJP leader in recent years.

Party leaders said Puri's diplomatic experience has proved valuable in handling the petroleum portfolio at a time when global conflicts and geopolitical tensions have put pressure on energy supplies. His continuation also ensures senior Sikh representation in the Union government ahead of the Punjab assembly elections.


Puri's current term as a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh is due to end on November 25. He was first elected to the Upper House from UP in a bypoll in 2018. Since then, he has handled key portfolios, including urban development, civil aviation and commerce and industry.