Bhubaneswar: The Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha concluded on Monday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing three of the four vacant seats and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) retaining one. The elections also saw instances of cross-voting, reflecting deviations from party lines.
Odisha BJP unit president Manmohan Samal and sitting MP Sujeet Kumar were elected on the party’s official ticket. Former Union Minister Dilip Ray, contesting as an Independent with BJP support, also won a seat, further strengthening the party’s representation in the Upper House from the state.
“I am very happy and grateful to everyone who supported me in this victory, whether from BJP, BJD, or Congress. Some are calling it horse-trading, but it is not—it reflects the voters’ feelings. I thank all who voted for me, and I will do my best for Odisha,” said Independent candidate and former Union Minister Dilip Ray.
From the BJD, Santrupt Misra was elected, while Datteswar Hota, the common candidate of the BJD-Congress-CPI(M) alliance and a renowned urologist, lost the contest.
The four Rajya Sabha seats had fallen vacant on April 2 following the retirement of sitting members. The winners are expected to receive their membership certificates from the returning officer shortly, officially joining the Upper House.
With this outcome, the BJP consolidates its presence in the Rajya Sabha from Odisha, leaving the BJD with a single seat in the Upper House.
