BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Pataik on Sunday said that only political leaders would be made BJD candidates for the three seats for the Rajya Sabha (RS), for which elections are scheduled to be held on March 23.
Patnaik, who returned here from a two-day visit to New Delhi, was replying to reporters’ queries whether actors would also find places along with politicians in the BJD’s list of nominees for the RS.
Patnaik’s unprecedented prior disclosure about the category of RS BJD candidates indicated that his decision is influenced by his avowed move for winning the Assembly elections for a fifth straight term. He wants not to displease his party’s rank and file and to involve them with all sincerity in the general elections.
The party supremo’s statement has gladdened the BJD leaders who are aspirants for RS berths. According to party circles, the ones in the race include Prashant Nanda, Raghunath Mohanty, Sarada Prasad Nayak, Bimbadhar Kuanr, Muna Khan, Kishore Mohanty and Bhupinder Singh.
From among politicians out of the BJD fold, Aama Odisha chief Soumya Ranjan Patnaik is reportedly an aspirant for a BJD ticket.
Naveen Patnaik’s statement ruled out speculations about candidatures of former AG Amar Patnaik, former Chief Secretary Bijay Patnaik and former AIIMS Director Dr Asok Mohapatra.
To a question on the Bijepur Assembly by-election results, Patnaik said he expects a BJD victory “by a handsome margin”.