The ruling BJD on Wednesday officially announced names of candidates for the coming Rajya Sabha polls. At least three seats are going to fall vacant on July 1.
While Mr Pyari Mohan Mohapatra was declared as the first candidate, Mr Sashi Bhusan Behera and Mr Baishnab Parida were chosen as the second and third c
andidates, respectively. Mr Mohapatra will have the second term in the Upper House whereas the two others will be making their debut in the Parliament. Sashi Bhusan Behera is a former MLA. Mr Baishnab Parida happens to be the BJD spokesperson.
With mammoth strength of 103 members in the 147-seat state Assembly and having support from allies like NCP, CPI and Independents, the BJD looks all set to get all its candidates elected without much difficulty. A candidate needs at least 37 first preference votes to get elected.
The Congress and the BJP, the two main Opposition parties, are yet to disclose their game plan on the RS polls.