BJD Calls Meeting of MLAs Today; Rajya Sabha Polls on Agenda

Bhubaneswar: A high-level meeting of BJD MLAs has been convened at Naveen Nivas at 5 pm today, with party president Naveen Patnaik set to chair the session.

Sources said the meeting will focus on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, and all BJD legislators have been directed to remain present. The development comes amid heightened political activity in the state, with various parties announcing their candidates and the BJD’s parliamentary affairs committee holding discussions on probable nominees.

Senior party leaders have indicated that the final decision on the candidate will rest with Naveen Patnaik. The meeting is expected to finalize the party’s nominee for the Rajya Sabha polls, even as speculation continues over potential names.

Notably, four Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha are set to fall vacant, setting the stage for a contest among BJD, BJP, and Congress. As per the Election Commission’s schedule, March 5 is the last date for filing nominations, March 6 for scrutiny, and March 9 for withdrawal of candidature. Polling will be held on March 16 between 9 am and 4 pm, followed by counting of votes.