Transgender to contest Rajya Sabha by-poll in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: With an aim to raise transgender issues in the parliament, transgender Meghna Sahoo on Thursday purchased the nomination form for the Rajya Sabha election.

Meghna was the first person to purchase the nomination form required to contest the polls to the upper house of parliament from Odisha Assembly secretariat.

The 30-year-old transgender, accompanied by her fellow community persons, went on a procession to purchase the nomination papers.

Meghna, an MBA degree holder, wants to become a member of Rajya Sabha to raise issues related to transgenders in the Parliament. She is also confident of getting support from BJP, Congress and BJD.

“I will seek support of all parties including the ruling BJD. Today, I met some leaders of BJP and Congress. Tomorrow, I will try to meet Chief Minister,” said Meghna.

Meanwhile, chief minister Naveen Patnaik has already announced that former minister Pratap Deb would be the BJD candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-poll.