Bhubaneswar, Jun 11: Senior leader Debashish Samantaray has been declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Odisha in the bypoll that was scheduled for June 18. The Returning Officer confirmed his election on Thursday, the final day for withdrawal of nominations, after no other party fielded a candidate.

Samantaray resigned from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and his Rajya Sabha seat on May 25, before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the following day. His candidature was announced by the BJP on June 4, and he filed his nomination papers on June 5, accompanied by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, BJP State president Manmohan Samal, Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo, and other senior leaders.

With the Opposition BJD and Congress opting out of the contest, his election was effectively sealed once the withdrawal deadline expired. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a candidate is declared elected immediately if no other valid nomination remains after the withdrawal date.
Also Read: Debashish Samantaray Files Nomination for Rajya Sabha By-Election as BJP Candidate

Samantaray’s unopposed entry into the Upper House is being viewed as a significant political development for the BJP in Odisha, bolstering its representation in Parliament. His move from the BJD to the BJP, followed by his swift elevation, underscores shifting political alignments in the State.

Party leaders described his election as a strategic gain, reflecting the BJP’s growing influence in Odisha’s political landscape. His return to the Rajya Sabha under the BJP banner is expected to bolster the party’s national presence while consolidating its position in Odisha.