Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced the names of candidates for three vacant Rajya Sabha seats from the State.
The BJD candidates for the Rajya Sabha are party’s IT Cell Chairman Amar Patnaik and party spokesperson Sasmit Patra.
#WATCH | #BJD President #NaveenPatnaik announces candidates for Rajya Sabha by-polls #Odisha pic.twitter.com/8cHax10Cyz
— Kalinga TV (@Kalingatv) June 21, 2019
The BJD President later said that his party will support the candidature of former IAS officer Aswini Vaishnab as PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah spoke him in this regard.
On Aswini Baisnab's candidature to Rajya Sabha, CM @Naveen_Odisha says, "I think there's some confusion. PM & Union Home Minister spoke to me on Mr Aswini Baisnab. We will support his candidature". pic.twitter.com/llXee9FvVf
— Kalinga TV (@Kalingatv) June 21, 2019
The three seats fell vacant after Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Pratap Keshari Deb resigned following their victories in the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
While KIIT and KISS founder Dr. Samanta was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kandhamal constituency, Patnaik and Deb were elected to the Assembly from Khandapada and Aul segments respectively.
The Election Commission last week announced that the by-polls for the Rajya Sabha will be held on July 5.
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Ms Kalinga