Bhubaneswar, Dec 9: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Sujeet Kumar as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in Odisha. Kumar, a former member of the Rajya Sabha representing the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), joined the BJP in September following his resignation from both the Upper House and the BJD. His nomination was approved by the BJP’s Central Election Committee.

Kumar is expected to file his nomination papers for the by-election today. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and BJP State President Manmohan Samal are anticipated to accompany him during the nomination process.

Earlier in the day, Kumar held discussions with Manmohan Samal and other senior BJP leaders at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar to finalize his candidature strategy. Kumar’s Rajya Sabha term was initially scheduled to end on April 2, 2026. However, his resignation on September 6 and subsequent expulsion from the BJD, which termed his move "anti-party," paved the way for his entry into the BJP.

Powered by Froala Editor