By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Padma Shri Tulasi Munda, Jnanpith Award winner Pratibha Ray, Padma Shri recipient Haldhar Nag and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik can be good choice for 4th Rajya Sabha Seat in Odisha
Tulasi Munda – Eminent social activist and Padma Shri honoree, dedicated to tribal education and empowerment in Odisha’s mining areas, admired for her grassroots work by all parties. Tulsi Munda belongs to Keonjhar, home turf of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Pratibha Ray – Renowned Odia author and Jnanpith Award winner, known for her contributions to literature and social issues, respected across political lines for her cultural impact.
Haldhar Nag – Celebrated Koshali poet and Padma Shri recipient, famous for his folk poetry and promotion of regional language, often cited as a symbol of Odisha’s rural heritage.
Sudarsan Pattnaik – Internationally acclaimed sand artist and Padma Shri awardee, recognized for his artistic representations of Odisha’s culture and social messages, with broad appeal.
Mahendra Kumar Mishra – Recent Padma Shri recipient in Literature & Education, folklorist, and cultural scholar deeply respected for preserving Odisha’s tribal and folk heritage, with no party affiliations and universal acclaim.
Simanchal Patra – Renowned artist and recent Padma Shri awardee (2026) in the arts category, known for his contributions to traditional Odia painting and cultural promotion. As an unsung hero-type figure honored nationally, he embodies Odisha’s artistic pride without political baggage, making him a strong fit for cross-party appeal in the interest of the state’s prestige.
Eminent, non-political personalities from Odisha who command widespread respect across society and could plausibly attract unanimous or broad consensus support from BJP, Congress, and BJD for a Rajya Sabha seat (especially as “eminent personalities” like Padma awardees or cultural icons, as discussed in recent political contexts for consensus candidates):
These align with the idea floated by leaders (like Congress exploring consensus with BJD on a writer, poet, or Padma awardee) for elevating Odisha’s stature through a non-partisan, distinguished figure for the fourth seat.
Four seats are set to fall vacant in early April 2026 (tenures ending around April 2), with BJP positioned to win two comfortably, BJD one, and the fourth seat requiring cross-party support or maneuvering due to no single party having sufficient MLAs for a clean win.
