Epstein Embroiled Puri Gets BJP Ticket From MP

NEW DELHI-The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on October 28 named Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh, after leaving him out of its list of candidates for Uttar Pradesh.

Puri has been embroiled in the Epstein files case that has made worldwide headlines and brought down several democratically elected officials.

The Election Commission of India announced the by-election to fill a vacancy in the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh following the resignation of L. Murugan, whose term was scheduled to end on April 2, 2030.

Puri, 74, is the only Sikh minister in the Narendra Modi Cabinet. He was previously elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, and his current term ends in November. He has also unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections. (IANS)