The BJP has named Rukmini Mallick from West Bengal and Dinesh Arya from Uttarakhand for the Rajya Sabha polls. The announcement sets up the October 16 contest, including a West Bengal bypoll triggered by Mallick's resignation.

Mallick, who became a Rajya Sabha MP on a TMC ticket, had resigned from the Upper House a few months ago. The BJP has now nominated her as its candidate for the upcoming election.