All five Rajya Sabha candidates file nomination in Odisha

All 5 candidates seeking predetermination to the Rajya Sabha filed their nominations successful the institution of elder enactment leaders connected Thursday (March 6, 2026).

President of the State portion of Bharatiya Janata Party, Manmohan Samal; sitting BJP Rajya Sabha member, Sujeet Kumar; and hotelier and erstwhile Union Coal Minister, Dilip Ray, each backed by the saffron party, submitted their papers.

On the different hand, Santrupta Mishra, governmental advisor to erstwhile Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, and Dr. Datteswar Hota, having backing of Congress, besides reached Odisha Legislative Assembly to filed nomination.

Five candidates are successful fray for 4 seats from Odisha’s quota falling vacant connected April 2. Tenures of BJD MPs Niranjan Bishi and Muzibulla Khan, on with BJP MPs Mamata Mohanta and Sujeet Kumar, are coming to end.

While triumph of Mr. Samal (BJP), Mr. Kumar (BJP) and Mr. Mishra (BJD) is forgone decision with they are requiring enactment of minimum 30 MLAs. Both BJP and BJD person requisite numbers of MLAs to guarantee their campaigner sail through.

However, determination volition beryllium contention betwixt Dr. Hota and Mr. Ray.  BJD’s communal candidate, Dr. Hota, enjoys enactment of BJD (rest 18 legislators), 14 Congress MLAs and lone CPI M) MLA, which arsenic per statistic is capable for his win. However, fixed governmental maneuvering, Mr. Ray is known for, and backing ruling BJP, thing could beryllium possible, opined governmental analyst. In 2002, the hotelier had pulled disconnected a astonishment triumph arsenic an autarkic candidate. He is said to beryllium abbreviated of enactment of six MLAs.

“I americium definite our 2 candidates volition person precise blessed victory,” said BJD supremo Mr. Patnaik.