Congress to announce Rajya Sabha candidates following high command meeting

Business Aajkal, Pune, 01 March 2026: The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled from 16 March to November 2026 mark a crucial phase in the six-year electoral cycle of the upper house of the Parliament of India. A total of 72 out of 245 members will be elected during this cycle. Of these, 233 members are elected by the elected legislators of the states and union territories, while 12 members are nominated by the President of India.
As part of its preparations, the Congress high command convened a key strategy meeting on March 1 at the residence of Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. The meeting focused on finalizing candidate selections for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha polls.
Among those present were Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal. According to senior party sources, the final list of candidates is expected to be announced within the next two days.
Sources within the party indicate that Dr. Shivanand Hulyalkar, National Spokesperson of the Congress Party from Pune, Maharashtra, is emerging as a promising contender for a Rajya Sabha seat, either from Maharashtra or another state where the party holds sufficient legislative strength.
A distinguished leader deeply rooted in the Lingayat tradition, Dr. Hulyalkar is widely regarded as a reformist thinker, institution builder, and cultural voice. Known for his close association with the Congress leadership, he shares strong working relationships with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal.
In an exclusive interaction, Dr. Hulyalkar reflected on his personal journey in public life, the evolving identity and socio-political significance of the Lingayat movement, and his broader vision centered on social justice, democratic values, and youth empowerment in contemporary India. He emphasized the importance of strengthening constitutional institutions, fostering inclusive growth, and engaging young citizens in shaping the nation’s democratic future.
With internal deliberations underway and the party leadership expected to announce candidates shortly, political observers are closely watching how the Congress balances regional representation, social coalitions, and strategic positioning in the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections.