Dilip Ray Files RS Nomination, BJP Backs Him

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. Ray said he would submit his nomination papers on March 5, entering the contest for the crucial fourth seat.

Soon after the announcement, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken an in-principle decision to support Ray’s candidature. Speaking to reporters, Samal said that while Ray would make his own efforts, the party would extend full backing to ensure his victory. When asked about the source of the required votes, Samal responded cryptically, saying observers should “wait till the 16th.”

The Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha are being held for four seats, setting the stage for a keen political contest. The BJP is well-positioned to secure two seats based on its current strength in the Assembly, while the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is expected to comfortably win one.

The BJP has fielded Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar as its official candidates. 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 development, Dr Hota recently met Congress leaders and MLAs to seek their support, signalling possible cross-party alignments for the final berth. With Dilip Ray now in the fray as an Independent backed by the BJP, the contest for the fourth seat has become particularly intriguing.

As per the election schedule, March 5 is the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny will take place on March 6, while March 9 is the final date for withdrawal of candidature. Voting is scheduled to be held on March 16 between 9 am and 4 pm, with counting to take place later the same day.

With negotiations and outreach efforts intensifying across party lines, all eyes are now on the numbers game ahead of polling day.