Even as BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday nominated AU Singh Deo and Bhupindar Singh for the two vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha, bypolls to which will be held on July 3, he has kept everyone guessing over who will get the maximum term in the Upper House of Parliament.
The seats have fallen vacant after two BJD RS members Sashi Bhusan Behera and Rabi Narayan Mohapatra contested elections to the State Assembly and won. While the seat vacated by Behera has two years of its tenure left, the seat vacated by Mohapatra has a term of three years and eight months.
If party sources are to be believed, Singh may replace Mohapatra and Singh Deo may get the two-year seat. However, Singh Deo on Sunday said that no decision has been taken in this regard by Naveen Patnaik and he is expected to clear the air soon.
“The media reports about who would get which RS seat are completely false. The Chief Minister has not confirmed yet who will replace whom. He is likely to make the announcement soon,” said Singh Deo.