Odisha Rajya Sabha Elections 2026: BJP Eyes Gains Amid Shifting Alliances
Odisha’s political landscape is heating up as four Rajya Sabha seats are set to fall vacant in April 2026.
With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) riding high on its decisive Nuapada by‑election victory, the party is positioning itself to secure at least two of the upcoming seats.
BJP state president Manmohan Samal has emerged as a frontrunner, his leadership during the Nuapada campaign strengthening his claim for a Rajya Sabha berth.
Party insiders also hint at his possible entry into the cabinet through the Planning Board vice‑chairman post, which remains unoccupied. Other BJP leaders in contention include Basant Panda, Golak Mohapatra, Bishweshwar Tudu, and Dilip Ray.
Meanwhile, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is weighing options, with names like Santrupt Mishra and Sujata Karthikeyan, wife of VK Pandian, surfacing as potential candidates.
Congress, though holding fewer seats, could play a decisive role if opposition parties align, though unity between the BJD and Congress appears unlikely.
With BJP commanding 82 seats in the Assembly (including support from three independents), compared to BJD’s 50 and Congress’s 14, analysts expect the saffron party to secure at least two of the four seats.
The contest underscores Odisha’s shifting political balance and the growing influence of Manmohan Samal within the BJP’s state leadership
