By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Soon after the Naveen Patnaik led BJD on Monday announced the names of two senior party leaders—Debashish Samantaray and Subhasish Khuntia for the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections , hectic lobby on Tuesday began as to whom, the 3rd ticket goes. Sources said, as the last date for filing of nominations is February 15 , BJD may announce its third candidate before that.
Several leaders are hopeful for the 3rd seat. Three MPs, two from the Governing BJD – Prashant Nanda and Amar Patnaik and BJP’s Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, will complete their tenure in the Rajya Sabha in April this year. Though the poll will be held for three seats, the BJD has nominated two names.
As per the notification, election to the three Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha will be held on February 27 between 9 am and 4 pm in the state Assembly premises and the counting of votes will be conducted on the very day at 5 pm. The last date for filing of nominations is February 15.
