Senior leader Debashish Samantaray won the Rajya Sabha by‑election from Odisha unopposed
Debashish Samantaray secures Rajya Sabha seat unoppposed: Senior leader Debashish Samantaray won the Rajya Sabha by‑election from Odisha unopposed. The Election Commission declared his victory on Thursday, confirming his entry into the Upper House without a contest.
Samantaray, fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), submitted his nomination papers earlier this week. With no other candidate filing nominations, the returning officer announced his election unopposed, eliminating the need for polling. After being elected unopposed, there is an atmosphere of enthusiasm among Debashish’s supporters and the BJP camp.
Notably, Debashis Samantaray was elected three times to the Assembly. In 2000, he was elected to the Assembly from Tirtol constituency on a BJD ticket. After that, in 2009 and 2014, he went to the Assembly from Barabati-Cuttack constituency on a BJD ticket. In 2019, he was defeated by Mohammed Mokim in this seat.
Debashis Samantaray was elected to the Rajya Sabha on a BJD ticket in April 2024. His term would have ended on April 3, 2030. Before that, on May 25, 2026, he resigned from the BJD and also gave up the post of Rajya Sabha MP. He joined the BJP on May 26, 2026. After his resignation, a notification was issued for the by-election to the seat that fell vacant. And as expected, the BJP fielded him.
ALSO READ: ₹1 Crore Goal: Monthly SIP Required Over 5, 10, 15 and 20 Years Explained
