Bhubaneswar: Senior political leader and former Union Minister Dilip Ray on Tuesday announced that he will file his nomination as an independent candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha. Speaking to local TV channels Ray said that he will submit his nomination papers on March 5, entering the race for the crucial fourth seat.
Soon after his announcement, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken an in-principle decision to extend support to Ray’s candidature. Addressing reporters, Samal said Ray would make his own efforts while the party would provide full backing to ensure his victory. When asked about the source of the required votes, he responded cryptically, asking observers to “wait till the 16th.”
The Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha are being held for four seats, setting the stage for an intense political contest. The BJP has the numbers to comfortably secure two seats, while the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is in a strong position to win one. The BJP has fielded Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar as its official candidates. On the other hand, the BJD has nominated Santrupt Mishra for its assured seat and named Dr Datteswar Hota as a common candidate for the fourth seat.
In a significant political move, Dr. Hota recently met Congress leaders and MLAs to seek their support, indicating that the contest for the final berth could witness strategic alignments and cross-party calculations. With Dilip Ray now entering the fray as an independent candidate backed by the BJP, the battle for the fourth seat has become particularly intriguing.
As per the election notification, March 5 is the last date for filing nominations, followed by scrutiny on March 6 and the final date for withdrawal on March 9. Voting will take place on March 16 between 9 AM and 4 PM, with counting scheduled for the same afternoon. With political negotiations and outreach efforts underway, all eyes are now on how the numbers will ultimately play out on polling day.
