Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday decided to field senior leader Dr. Santrupt Misra and noted physician Dr. Datteswar Hota as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha (RS) election in Odisha. The announcement comes despite the party having the numbers to send only one member to the Upper House.
While talking to reporters, BJD President Naveen Patnaik announced the names of Misra and Hota. In a post on X, Patnaik made a pointed appeal to all political parties to support Dr. Hota as a “common candidate.”
Misra, a former corporate businessman, has been nominated for the third seat. Renowned urologist Dr. Hota has been named for the fourth seat.
Four Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha will soon become vacant. The terms of BJP MPs Sujeet Kumar and Mamata Mohanta will end. The tenure of BJD MPs Niranjan Bishi and Muzibulla Khan, also known as Munna Khan, will also conclude.
The numbers in the Assembly present a clear picture. The BJP, with 79 MLAs and support from three Independent legislators, can secure two seats comfortably. It will still have a surplus of 20 votes. The BJD, with 50 votes, can win one seat and will have 20 votes left.
The contest for the fourth seat is expected to be crucial, as the outcome will depend on cross-party support and voting strategy.
