Nominations of BJD Rajya Sabha candidates accepted

Bhubaneswar: Nomination papers of BJD candidates for three Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha were found valid after scrutiny and were accepted today.

Besides the three BJD candidates - Achyuta Samanta, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Prashanta Nanda - social activist Subash Mohapatra had filed nomination for election to the House of Elders as an independent candidate.

Nomination papers of all the candidates were scrutinised in presence of the Returning Officer and the Chief Election Commissioner.

However, Subash Mohapatra’s nomination was rejected.

“Nomination papers of all three BJD Rajya Sabha candidates were found valid,” said BJD candidate Soumya Ranjan Patnaik.

Mohapatra on the other hand targeted Achyut Samanta and alleged that the KIIT & KISS founder possesses two voter identity cards.

“Four cases are pending against Samanta. He has filed false affidavit and also holds office of profit. I will move court against him,” said Mohapatra.

Reacting to Mohapatra’s allegation, Samanta said, “I have not provided any misleading information in the affidavit. My name has already been deleted from the voter list at Kalarabanka.”