Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: In a significant turn of events, three candidates were elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Odisha, as no candidates from opposition parties submitted nominations.

The Returning Officer declared all three candidates unanimously elected, necessitating the elections due to three vacancies in the Upper House.

Former BJD MLA Debasish Samantray and youth leader Subhasish Khuntia were nominated by the BJD, while the BJP named Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the Rajya Sabha.

Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik selected Debasish Samantray, the BJD's district unit president of Cuttack, to represent the party's voice in Delhi.

Similarly, Subhashish Khuntia, a prominent young figure in Puri district politics and vice president of Biju Yuva Janata Dal, secured Naveen Patnaik's endorsement for a seat in the Upper House.

Although the BJP nominated Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the third seat, they lacked sufficient numbers for his victory. In a move reflecting the larger interest of the state, the BJD extended support to the BJP candidate, citing the significant development in railway and telecom sectors in Odisha.

Notably, Ashwini Vaishnaw had previously secured a Rajya Sabha berth with the support of BJD, highlighting the strategic alliances formed for the state's progress.

Powered by Froala Editor