Two BJD Candidates File Rajya Sabha Nominations, Suspense Over Third Seat

Samantray is a former BJD MLA, whereas Khuntia is a BJD youth wing leader.

BJD candidates for Rajya Sabha Subhasish Khuntia and Debasish Samantray with party president Naveen Patnaik after filing their nomination papers, in Bhubaneswar, Tuesday, Feb. 13 ( Image Source :PTI )

BJD leaders Debashish Samantray and Subhasish Kuntia filed their nomination papers in Odisha for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for February 27. BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, along with ministers and MLAs, accompanied the BJD nominees as they filed their candidature for the Upper House of Parliament, reported by PTI.

Samantray is a former BJD MLA, whereas Khuntia is a BJD youth wing leader. The third Rajya Sabha seat, meanwhile, remains undecided. The only party from Odisha that has the potential to win all three of the Rajya Sabha seats that will become empty in April is the BJD, given the Assembly's current strength. These vacancies will arise when the terms of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (BJP) and BJD leaders Prasant Nanda and Amar Patnaik expire. Notably, in 2019, BJD supported BJP's Vaishnaw, who secured a seat in the Upper House with the backing of Patnaik's party.

#WATCH | Bhubaneswar: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik attended BJD leader Debasish Samantray & Subhasish Khuntia's nomination as candidates for Rajya Sabha. pic.twitter.com/ZH60hA356Q

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2024

Now, speculations abound about whether the Railway Minister could emerge as Patnaik's surprise choice once more. "We are uncertain; Patnaik will make the final decision," remarked a senior BJD leader, PTI reported.

Following the submission of their nomination papers, both Samantaray and Khunta expressed gratitude towards Patnaik. They pledged to fight for the state's interests and champion Odisha's cause in the Upper House.

As per the election notification, voting for all three Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha is slated for February 27, to be conducted between 9 am and 4 pm at the state assembly premises. Vote counting will ensue at 5 pm. The deadline for nomination filing is February 15. In the current composition of the Odisha Assembly, BJD commands 109 MLAs (including four expelled members), BJP holds 22 seats, and nine legislators belong to the Congress. Additionally, the House includes one Independent MLA and a representative from the CPI(M).

The assembly comprises 147 members in total, one seat is vacant after the death of BJD MLA Surjya N Patro.