BJP names Sujeet Kumar as candidate for Odisha's Rajya Sabha by-election
Editor
Bhubaneswar, Dec 9: The BJP has named Sujeet Kumar as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election, marking his political resurgence after his recent switch from the BJD to the saffron party.
Kumar, previously a Rajya Sabha MP under the BJD, left the party in September, citing his alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India's development and Odisha's progress. The BJP's move to nominate him is seen as a calculated effort to bolster its presence in Odisha and the Upper House of Parliament ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The Election Commission announced the by-election to six Rajya Sabha seats, including one from Odisha, with voting set for December 20, if required. The Odisha seat was vacated after Kumar resigned earlier this year, following his expulsion from the BJD.
This strategy mirrors the BJP's earlier success with Mamata Mohanta, a former BJD leader from Mayurbhanj, who resigned, joined the BJP, and was later elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha. If elected, Kumar will serve until April 2026, increasing the BJP's strength in the Upper House.
