Political activity regarding the Rajya Sabha elections has intensified in Madhya Pradesh. BJP candidate Mahesh Kevat filed his nomination papers at the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) building, accompanied by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and several senior party leaders. Voting for the state's three Rajya Sabha seats is scheduled for June 18, and Monday was the last day for filing nominations. Meanwhile, Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan also filed her nomination, adding an intriguing twist to the electoral contest. The political tussle has heated up following the BJP's decision to field a third candidate. The Congress alleges that the BJP lacks the requisite number of MLAs to secure a victory for a third candidate and might resort to horse-trading. State Congress President Jitu Patwari claimed with absolute certainty that Meenakshi Natarajan would make it to the Rajya Sabha and that all Congress MLAs remain united. A major question circulating in political circles is why the BJP fielded a third candidate when the numbers suggest they lack the necessary strength to win that seat; this has sparked various strategic speculations. On the other hand, the BJP asserts that it has the winning arithmetic in place. While a war of words continues between the BJP and Congress, both key candidates have filed their nominations, and all eyes are now fixed on the voting scheduled for June 18 and the subsequent results.