New Delhi: The elections for 56 Rajya Sabha seats in 15 states is set to be held today. As per schedule, the nominations began on February 8, while the last date for the filling up the nomination was February 15.
Reportedly, voting will take place on February 27 (Tuesday) between 9 am and 4 pm and counting of votes will take place on the same day at 5 pm.
The number of seats on which Rajya Sabha elections will be held are Andhra Pradesh-3, Bihar-6, Chhatisgarh-1, Gujarat-4, Haryana-1, Himachal Pradesh-1, Odisha-3, West Bengal-5, Rajasthan- 3, Karnataka-4, Maharashtra-6, Madhya Pradesh-5, Telangana-3, Uttarakhand-1, Uttar Pradesh-10.
Three Rajya Sabha candidates from Odisha were elected in uncontested elections. Three candidates have been elected unopposed after the deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers. All the elected candidates will be given their certificates today by the Returning Officer. While three seats were vacant from Odisha, no other candidates have filed their nominations except these three candidates.
Therefore, Debasish Samantaray and Subhasish Khuntia of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) were elected in uncontested elections. MLA Debasish Samantaray and Subhasish Khuntia filed their respective nomination papers for Rajya Sabha in the presence of CM Naveen Patnaik and senior ministers and several MLAs.
The ruling party of Odisha BJD, will support the candidature of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to the Rajya Sabha. “Biju Janata Dal will support the candidature of Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister, Railways, Communication and Information and Technology for the larger interest of State Railways and Telecom Development in the ensuing Election to Rajya Sabha 2024,” read the letter issued by the Party.
Ms Kalinga