New Delhi,
The BJP on Friday announced Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for a Rajya Sabha by-poll in Uttar Pradesh.

The seat fell vacant following the resignation of Manohar Parrikar, who quit after he became Goa chief minister.

Puri was sworn in as a Union minister in September.

He is not a Member of Parliament and will have to elected within six months of taking oath.

His election is all but certain due to the BJP’s massive strength in the state Assembly.