Dilip Ray Files Nomination for Rajya Sabha with BJP Backing

Bhubaneswar, Mar 5 : The race for four Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha gathered momentum on Wednesday as former Union Minister Dilip Ray filed his nomination papers, backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Ray, a veteran politician with over four decades of experience, submitted his nomination amid heightened political activity ahead of the March 16 polls. His candidature, supported by the BJP, has added a new dimension to the contest, particularly for the crucial fourth seat.

Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, who is also in the fray as one of the party’s official nominees, reiterated the saffron party’s support for Ray. The BJP has fielded Samal and outgoing Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar as its official candidates.

The electoral arithmetic in the 147-member Odisha Assembly makes the battle interesting. The BJP, with 79 MLAs and support from three Independents, is in a comfortable position to secure two of the four seats. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), with 48 MLAs, has the strength to win one seat.

The contest for the fourth seat, however, is expected to be keen. The BJD has announced Dr Santrupt Mishra, former HR head of the Aditya Birla Group, and eminent urologist Dr Danteswar Hota as a common candidate, banking on support from the Congress, which has 14 MLAs.

For Ray to emerge victorious, cross-voting from Opposition ranks could prove decisive. Political observers note that preventing cross-voting will be crucial for the Opposition combine if it hopes to secure the fourth seat.

Ray had earlier been convicted in 2020 by a designated CBI court in a coal block allocation case. However, the Delhi High Court stayed his conviction in April 2024, enabling him to contest the Rajya Sabha polls.

With nomination filings underway and numbers closely balanced, the March 16 election is shaping up to be a closely watched political contest in Odisha.