Odisha Rajya Sabha Elections 2026: Five Candidates File Nominations for Four Seats

Bhubaneswar, March 5: The race for four Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha intensified today as five candidates filed their nominations before the deadline.

The BJP has fielded Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar, while the BJD nominated Santupt Misra and Datteswar Hota. Independent candidate Dilip Ray also entered the fray.

With the BJP expected to secure two seats and the BJD likely to win one, the fourth seat remains a battleground.

Congress has extended support to Datteswar Hota in a bid to block the BJP from clinching a third seat.

The Election Commission has scheduled scrutiny of nominations for March 6, withdrawal of candidatures by March 9, and voting on March 16, with results to be announced the same day.

The contest is poised to shape Odisha’s representation in the Upper House at a crucial juncture.