BJP’s Dinesh Arya files Rajya Sabha nomination; eyes regional, caste balance in Uttarakhand

BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate Dinesh Arya files his nomination papers in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Tuesday, October 6, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI

BJP candidate Dinesh Arya, a Scheduled Caste leader from the Kumaon region, on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) filed his nomination for the election to Uttarakhand's lone Rajya Sabha seat, scheduled for October 16.

Mr. Arya's nomination is significant as he is a Scheduled Caste leader from the Kumaon region, while all three Rajya Sabha seats in the State are currently represented by leaders from Garhwal, making his candidature a move towards regional and caste balance ahead of next year's Assembly elections.

Mr. Arya filed his nomination papers with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt, former Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, several ministers and a large number of ruling party MLAs present.