Odisha's BJD Announces Candidates for Upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections
Naveen Patnaik, the leader of the Biju Janata Dal, has announced two candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha. Dr. Santrupt Mishra and Dr. Datteshwar Hota are set to represent the party, with Patnaik urging support from all political factions. The announcement comes as the All India Trinamool Congress also reveals its candidates for the elections. Patnaik remains optimistic about their chances of winning. Read on to learn more about the candidates and the political landscape in Odisha.
| Feb 28, 2026, 18:30 IST
BJD's Candidate Announcement for Rajya Sabha
On Saturday, Naveen Patnaik, the president of the Biju Janata Dal and leader of the opposition in the Odisha Assembly, revealed the party's two candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. One of these candidates is being presented as a "consensus candidate" seeking support from all political parties.
During a press briefing, Patnaik announced Dr. Santrupt Mishra and Dr. Datteshwar Hota as the candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections. He emphasized that the decision to field two candidates was made to strengthen the party's representation.
Patnaik stated that Dr. Santrupt Mishra, a senior member of the party, is the candidate for the first seat. The second candidate, Dr. Datteshwar Hota, is a well-known physician in Odisha and has previously served as the first Vice-Chancellor of Odisha University of Health Sciences and Principal of SCB Medical College. He urged all parties to support these candidates and help send them to the Rajya Sabha.
When asked about the chances of both candidates winning, Patnaik expressed optimism, saying he always remains hopeful. Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) announced four prominent candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections: Babul Supriyo, Rajiv Kumar, Menaka Guruswamy, and Koyal Mallik. In a post on social media, the party expressed its happiness in announcing their candidacies and extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the candidates, affirming its commitment to uphold the legacy of the Trinamool's resilience and dedication to protecting citizens' rights and dignity.