Odisha Politics / Odisha Rajya Sabha By-Election on June 18
Key Points
Odisha Rajya Sabha by-election announced after Debasish Samantaray’s resignation and BJP entry. Voting on June 18 could reshape party strength in the Upper House amid BJP’s rising influence.
Bhubaneswar, May 27: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a by-election to fill the vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha following the resignation of Debashish Samantaray.
Samantaray, who stepped down from his Rajya Sabha membership on May 25 after quitting the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) soon after. His departure created a vacancy in the Upper House, prompting the Commission to initiate the election process.
According to the schedule released, the official notification will be published on June 1. Candidates can file nominations until June 8, with scrutiny scheduled for June 9. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations is June 11. If necessary, voting will take place on June 18 between 9 am and 4 pm, followed by counting at 5 pm. The entire process is expected to conclude by June 20.
Also read: Debashish Samantaray Joins BJP Day After Quitting BJD, Rajya Sabha
Samantaray’s resignation and subsequent switch to the BJP has added political significance to the by-election. With the BJP now in power in Odisha, the party’s presence in the Rajya Sabha is gradually strengthening.
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✨Currently, BJD holds five seats in the Upper House, while the BJP has increased its representation through recent elections. In April, BJP-backed candidates Manmohan Samal and Sujit Kumar were elected, along with independent candidate Dilip Ray, who had BJP’s support. Their terms extend until 2032.
Additionally, BJP had earlier supported Ashwini Vaishnaw in 2024, whose tenure runs until 2030. On the BJD side, Sasmit Patra, Sulata Deo, and Manas Mangaraj, elected in 2022, will serve until 2028. Subhashish Khuntia, elected in 2024, will remain until 2030, while Santrupt Mishra, elected this year, will serve until 2032.
The upcoming by-election is expected to be closely watched, as it could further alter the balance of power between BJD and BJP in the Rajya Sabha.
With BJP’s growing influence in Odisha politics, the contest
for this seat will be a key indicator of the shifting political landscape in
the state.
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