Bhubaneswar, June 5 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Debashish Samantaray on Friday filed his nomination papers for the by-election to the lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha at the State Assembly premises here.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, along with several other senior BJP leaders, were present during the submission of nomination papers by Samantaray.

Speaking to media persons after filing nomination, Samantaray extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party national president Nitin Nabin, etc., for welcoming him to the party with love and affection.

“After joining the BJP, I feel as though I have returned to my own home. I extend my sincere gratitude to the MLAs, the party chief whip, and the Parliamentary Affairs Minister who were present during the filing of my nomination papers. I am also thankful to all the party workers for warmly welcoming me into the BJP and nominating me to the Rajya Sabha again,” he said.

Samantaray expressed confidence that he would be elected to the Upper House of Parliament unopposed, saying the numbers were firmly in the party’s favour.

Commenting on the political landscape, he took a subtle dig at the opposition BJD, stating that the people of Odisha had decisively expressed their mandate during the 2024 elections and that the BJP was committed to delivering on the vision of a developed Odisha as part of the broader mission of Viksit Bharat.

On the possibility of crossvoting, Samantray said he was not concerned, expressing full confidence in party discipline and the support of all legislators.

Notably, the Rajya Sabha seat is lying vacant after Samantaray’s resignation from the membership of the Upper House of the parliament on May 25.

He had also resigned from the primary membership of the Biju Janata Dal the same day and later joined the BJP on May 26. Meanwhile, the ruling party on Thursday announced its candidature for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat.

As per the schedule, the last date for filing nominations is June 8, while scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on June 9. Candidates may withdraw their nominations until June 11. Voting, if necessary, and the counting of votes are scheduled for June 18.

With the BJP commanding a comfortable majority in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Samantray’s election is widely seen as a formality.

–IANS

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