Rajya Sabha bypoll: EC to issue notification today

Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will issue notification today for the by-election to lone Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha. The poll will be held on May 25.

As per the schedule, the last date for filing of nominations is May 15 while scrutiny will be held on May 16. Candidates can withdraw their paper by May 18.

The by-poll has been necessitated following resignation of senior BJD leader Bishnu Charan Das. He has been appointed as Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board and convener of the BJD Dalit Cell.

Even though BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik is yet to take a call on possible candidate, several names including party spokesperson Pratap Deb, senior leader Raghunath Mohanty, Bhupinder Singh and Bimbadhar Kuanr are doing rounds for the seat in Upper House.

Political experts also observe that the CM is likely to name a noted social activist for the post in parliament.

However, victory for the BJD nominee seems to be a foregone conclusion given the strength of the party in the assembly.