Soumya, Prashanta, Achyuta Elected To Rajya Sabha Uncontested

Bhubaneswar: As expected, the three BJD candidates— Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Prashanta Nanda and Achyuta Samanta— on Thursday were elected to Rajya Sabha uncontested.

Returning Officer Rajesh Prabhakar Patil handed over the certificate to Patnaik and Nanda after their names were announced as the elected Rajya Sabha candidates from Odisha for six years.

However, Samanta could not receive his certificate as he was absent.

Talking to media persons after being elected to the Upper House, Patnaik said he would rake up major issues of Odisha and continue his fight for the cause of farmers, language and prohibition of liquor. Stating that the state government has initiated some measures with regard to chit fund and language issues, Patnaik hoped that the government will take care of other issues soon.

In his statement, Nanda said he would work as per the directive of the party supremo and raise issues on behalf of his state in consultation with his party colleagues.

The three elected BJD members will assume office after the tenure of Dilip Tirkey, AU Singhdeo and AV Swami ends in April this year.