Bhubaneswar, Dec 03: Biju Janata Dal general secretary and senior leader Narendra Swain today filed nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha seat which was vacated due to the demise of Kalpataru Das.
On the last date of nomination Narendra submitted the sets of nomination papers at the office of Assembly secretary.
While filing the nomination papers party supremo, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other party leaders were present.
The BJD candidate is all set to get elected to the Upper House uncontested as principal opposition parties BJP and Congress have decided against fielding their candidates given the numerical strength of the ruling party in the Assembly.
Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra had said: “BJD has 117 members in the House and we have only 16. It means – this is certain that the BJD candidate will win the by-election. This is the reason why Congress has decided not to field any candidate for the Rajya Sabha election.”
While, the verification of nomination papers is on December 4, the last date of withdrawal of nominations is on December 7. The polling and counting of votes will be held on December 14.
It should be noted that the Upper House seat from Odisha had fallen vacant following the demise of senior BJD leader Kalpataru Das on July 25 this year. The BJD member’s term of office would have ended on April 2, 2020.
