BJD Announces Candidates For Rajya Sabha Bypolls

Bhubaneswar: The BJD on Friday announced its candidates for the bypolls to the three vacant Rajya Sabha seats of Odisha.

They are, the party’s IT Cell Chairman and spokesperson Amar Patnaik, party spokesperson Sasmit Patra and former IAS officer Ashwini Vaishnav. The latter is a BJP candidate, whom the BJD has decided to support.

According to BJD sources, Sasmit was rewarded for his loyalty and strongly defending the party on different issues. Patnaik has been involved in analyses and social media management. Both these leaders are close to the powers that be. They were also part of the election management team.

Their selection has left former Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patasani and ex-MLA of Berhampur Ramesh Choupatnaik high and dry. BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik had earlier assured them nomination to the Rajya Sabha after they were denied tickets in the recently concluded elections. They had won five consecutive elections from their respective constituencies.

Polling for these seats will be held on July 5 between 9 am and 4 pm. Counting of votes will take place on the same day.

The three seats fell vacant when Achyutananda Samanta, Pratap Keshari Deb and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik resigned after being elected from the Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat, Aul and Khandapada Assembly segments, respectively, in the recent elections.