Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The announcement by the Election Commission Thursday of the dates for elections to 57 Rajya Sabha seats, including three from Orissa, has put the spotlight on Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik, who is expected to select the candidates for the party soon.
The BJD, which has 117 legislators in the 147-member Assembly is confident of winning all the three seats that will fall vacant in the Upper House of Parliament with the tenure of Rajya Sabha members Pyarimohan Mohapatra, Bhupinder Singh and Baishnab Charan Parida ending July 1, 2016.
“The Chief Minister will select suitable candidates, who will raise state issues in the floor of Rajya Sabha,” BJD spokesperson Pratap Jena said.
One name that is doing the rounds as a possible candidate is that of senior BJD leader and former minister Pratap Deb. However, Deb said he does not have any information about this.
“I have not approached the Chief Minister. I have also not got any message from the party in this regard so far. I am a disciplined member of the party and will sincerely take up any assignment given to me,” Deb said Thursday.
