Bhubaneswar: BJP leader Sujeet Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha by-election on Monday.
Kumar filed his nomination in the presence of prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, BJP state unit president Manmohan Samal, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, and other senior party members.
Expressing his gratitude, Kumar thanked the BJP leadership and the party’s parliamentary board for nominating him as their candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat. He also confirmed submitting two sets of nomination papers.
Speaking to the media, Kumar highlighted his contributions during his previous tenure in parliament, particularly in addressing issues in Odisha’s KBK (Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) region and Kalahandi district.
He reiterated his commitment to advancing the region’s potential in agriculture-based industries, transportation, infrastructure, and tourism under the guidance of senior BJP leaders.
The BJP’s Central Election Committee had earlier announced Kumar’s candidature for the sole Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha. The seat fell vacant following Kumar’s resignation on September 6, 2024, two years before completing his term.
Kumar, who was originally elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 2020 as a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate, made a dramatic political shift after resigning from the upper house.
Within minutes of stepping down, Kumar joined the BJP at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, and Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab. He also formally resigned from the BJD on the same day.
This development marks a significant political realignment in Odisha, with Kumar pledging to focus on transforming the KBK region into a hub of prosperity.
