All five candidates seeking election to the Rajya Sabha filed their nominations in the company of senior party leaders on Thursday (March 6, 2026).
President of the State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party, Manmohan Samal; sitting BJP Rajya Sabha member, Sujeet Kumar; and hotelier and former Union Coal Minister, Dilip Ray, all backed by the saffron party, submitted their papers.
Also Read | Rajya Sabha elections: How are polls to the Parliament’s Upper House held?
On the other hand, Santrupta Mishra, political advisor to former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, and Dr. Datteswar Hota, having backing of Congress, also reached Odisha Legislative Assembly to filed nomination.
Five candidates are in fray for four seats from Odisha’s quota falling vacant on April 2. Tenures of BJD MPs Niranjan Bishi and Muzibulla Khan, along with BJP MPs Mamata Mohanta and Sujeet Kumar, are coming to end.
