Mahanadi, farmers' issues my prime focus: RS nominee Pratap Deb

Bhubaneswar: Farmers’ problems, allocation of central funds and Mahanadi water dispute are the issues on top of his priority list to be raised in Parliament, said BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb soon after filing nomination today for the by-poll to the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha.

Talking to OTV Deb said, “My prime focus will be on farmers’ issues, central allocation of funds to Odisha and Mahanadi water dispute. I am thankful to chief minister Naveen Patnaik for giving me an opportunity to raise State's interest in Parliament.”

Asked about his role in the party after being formally elected to the Rajya Sabha, Deb said he has not discussed about it with the party supremo. “Whatever the CM will assign me, I will discharge it sincerely,” he added.

The BJD spokesperson filed his nomination before the returning officer and Assembly Secretary today in presence of BJD President and CM Naveen Patnaik, other ministers, senior leaders and MLAs of the party. Patnaik was the proposer for Deb’s berth in Upper House while minister Bikram Arukh seconded him.

Victory of former minister and member of erstwhile royal family of Aul is a foregone conclusion given the strength of his party in Assembly.