Rajya Sabha bypoll: Sujeet Kumar to file nomination as BJP candidate from Odisha

Odisha BJP leader Sujeet Kumar is all set to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha bypoll today. On November 26, the ECI had announced by-election to six Rajya Sabha seats including one from Odisha.

The one seat from Odisha became vacant following the resignation of then BJD leader Sujeet Kumar who later joined the BJP. Kumar snapped ties with the conch party on September 6, and tendered his resignation from the Upper House.

Prior to Kumar, Mamata Mohanta, a leader from Mayurbhanj district, resigned from the Rajya Sabha and BJD. Later, she joined the BJP and was recently elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha.

Also Read: ‘Not in Rajya Sabha race’: Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal

Meanwhile, the BJP has plans to use the same strategy and send Kumar to the Rajya Sabha once again. Once elected, his tenure will continue till April 2026.

While the last date for filing nominations is December 10, the election is scheduled to be held on the 20th of this month.

At present, there are six casual vacancies in the Council of States from four states following the resignation of members from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Haryana.

Read More: Notification Issued For Rajya Sabha By-Election; polls on December 20

As per the latest ECI notification, the Commission has decided to hold six separate bye-elections to the Council of States to fill up the above-mentioned vacancies.

Rajya Sabha By-poll Schedule

• Issue of Notification: December 3, 2024
• Last Date Of Nominations: December 10
• Scrutiny of Nomination: December 11
• Date of Polls: December 20
• Counting of Votes: December 20