Bhubaneswar: All the three Rajya Sabha candidates from Odisha- BJP’s Ashwini Vaishnaw and BJD’s Amar Patnaik and Sasmit Patra were today elected unopposed to the Upper House.
The Returning Officer for the bypolls, Bishnuprasad Mishra informed that as no other candidates other than the above three filed nominations; all of them were elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed. The certificate of election was also handed over to the respective candidates today.
As per official sources, BJD’s Amar Patnaik and Sasmit Patra have been elected to the Rajya Sabha in place of Achyuta Samanta and Pratap Deb respectively.
Similarly, BJP’s Vaishnaw will represent Odisha in the seat vacated by Soumya Ranjan Patnaik.
“We will raise the issues in Parliament which have been raised by CM Naveen Patnaik before NITI Aayog and PM Narendra Modi. The issues include- special focus state status, increasing tele-density and development of banking sector in Odisha.”
Patnaik further informed that he will also devote more time to strengthen party’s organisation at the district level.
“I have worked selflessly during my stint in the public services in Odisha and other parts of the country. With Lord Jagannath’s blessings, I will discharge my duties with utmost care and devotion,” said Vaishnaw.
“My responsibility and accountability to 4.5 crore people in Odisha has increased. I will try to live up to the expectations of the people and CM Naveen,” said Patra.