Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Debashish Samantaray submitted his nomination papers for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha at the State Assembly premises. He was supported by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, and other senior BJP leaders during the filing.
Samantaray expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party national president Nitin Nabin for their warm welcome to the BJP. He mentioned feeling at home in the party and thanked the MLAs, party chief whip, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister for their support.
Confident of winning the election unopposed, Samantaray highlighted the BJP’s strong position. He also emphasized the party’s commitment to Odisha’s development and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat. Regarding potential cross-voting, he showed faith in party discipline and legislators’ support.
The Rajya Sabha seat became vacant after Samantaray’s resignation and subsequent switch from the Biju Janata Dal to the BJP. With the BJP’s significant majority in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, his election is expected to proceed smoothly.
