Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the names of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidates for the elections to four Rajya Sabha seats. (BJD) nominated senior leader Sasmit Patra, Manas Mangaraj, Sulata Deoa nd Niranjan Bishi as its nominees for the ensuing Rajya Sabha election from the state.
According to the reports, earlier the names of Sasmit Patra, Sulata Deo and Manas Mangaraj were doing rounds and were the front runners in race for the Upper House. It will be second Rajya Sabha term for Sasmit Patra.
“I thank CM Naveen Patnaik for nominating me. I will certainly work in raising the issues pertaining to the problems and issues faced by the people of Odisha in Parliament in a right manner. I will make the voice of the State heard in Delhi,” said Manas Mangaraj.
Sulata Deo said, “I am thankful to BJD supremo for reposing faith on me. I will try to fight for the rights of people and Odisha. The focus of our party is on women empowerment and I will work to carry forward the initiatives taken so far. ”
Sasmit Patra said, “There are several issues which need to be addressed by the Centre. I had never thought that I would be given another chance and will work in such a manner that the Odisha gets what it deserves.”
“CM Naveen Patnaik has a clean image and is committed to make Odisha a number one state. I will always work to address the problems faced by tribals and other backward classes by raising the issues in Parliament,” said Niranjan Bishi.
As per the official notification, the election will be held for three seats on June 10 as the tenure of Prasanna Acharya, N. Bhaskar Rao and Dr Sasmit Patra ends on July 1. The process of filing of the nomination paper is already open and the last date is May 31, 2022.
