India, March 3 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified internal consultations to finalise its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, with several senior leaders in contention and a final decision expected from the party's top leadership in the coming days, people aware of the developments said on Monday.

The people said at least eight names are under active consideration as the party seeks to balance organisational experience, regional representation and political strategy. Those being discussed include Pawan Singh, Rakesh Tiwari, Guru Prakash Paswan, Vinod Tawde, Sanjay Mayukh and Prem Ranjan Patel. Shivesh Ram and Rituraj Sinha are also understood to be in the reckoning, indicating that the contest remains open ...