Bhubaneswar: With three Rajya Sabha seats from the state falling vacant in April this year, the race among BJD leaders to grab a berth in the Rajya Sabha has reached a point when some ministers are even ready to quit their Cabinet posts.
When asked if he was interested in a Rajya Sabha berth, Pradeep Maharathy told the media Tuesday that if given a chance he is ready to become a member of the Upper House.
“Everything depends on the decision of BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. However, if given a chance, I am willing to become a member of Rajya Sabha,” said the cabinet minister who holds four key portfolios including Panchayati Raj and agriculture, adding, “It is more exciting to be in the Rajya Sabha than be a Cabinet minister (in the state).”
Orissa has 10 Rajya Sabha members, out of which eight are from BJD one from Congress and the other is an independent. Election to three Rajya Sabha seats from the state is due as the tenure of BJD MPs Dilip Tirkey and AU Singhdeo and independent member AV Swamy will come to an end in April 2018.
Given the BJD’s brute majority which has 117 members in the 147-seat Assembly, it would be easy for the ruling party nominees to make it to Rajya Sabha this time.
With elections for these three Raya Sabha seats likely to take place in March, hectic lobbying is on among the BJD leaders.
Like Maharathy, BJD minority cell head Munna Khan, openly claimed Tuesday that being in politics he has the right to aspire for such a post. He, however, concurred Maharathy saying it is Naveen Patnaik who will take a final call on the issue.
Several other BJD leaders including Prasanta Nanda, former minister Rabi Nanda, party vice-president Bimbadhar Kanhar are also said to be in the race.
It is speculated that the BJD chief may also name one or two apolitical persons for Rajya Sabha berths this time.
Names of filmmaker Nilamadhab Panda, former AIIMS director Ashok Mohapatra and Mindtree co-founder & Orissa Skill Development Authority head Subroto Bagchi are already doing the round. Sources said Hema Gamang, wife of former Chief Minister Giridhari Gamang, may also throw her card in the ring.
All said and done, it is too early to guess as to who the BJD supremo would eventually favour this time.
Patnaik, in May 2016, had nominated three senior party leaders – Prasanna Acharya, Bishnu Charan Das and N Bhaskar Rao for Rajya Sabha seats. However, in mid-2017, Bishnu Das was called back and BJD leader Pratap Keshari Deb was sent to the Upper House in his place.
Sudarshan Maharana, OP
