The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has scheduled a key meeting of its MLAs on Friday evening at 5 PM, where party president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik is set to deliberate on strategies and candidate selections for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. All MLAs have been notified to attend this session at Naveen Niwas.
The meeting follows Thursday’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) session, chaired by Patnaik, where initial decisions were made. Sources indicate that the MLA meeting will focus on discussing and potentially granting unanimous approval to the PAC’s resolutions. Reliable party insiders suggest that the outcomes could be endorsed without dissent.
With the nomination deadline for Rajya Sabha seats extended until March 5, the timing accounts for upcoming holidays due to Dola-Holi festivals, during which government offices will remain closed. Offices will only operate on Friday and Monday next week, prompting the party to ensure candidates face no hurdles in preparing necessary documents.
The BJD is likely to field just one candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls, adhering to its policy of maintaining equidistance from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. Party circles are abuzz with discussions on upholding this neutral stance. Earlier today, BJD MP Sasmit Patra collected six sets of nomination forms from the Assembly, fueling speculation that the party might nominate two candidates. However, party sources clarify that this is a precautionary measure to gather signatures from proposers (MLAs) in advance, and the possibility of a second candidate cannot be ruled out entirely.
Naveen Patnaik’s decisions have long been regarded as final and unanimous within the party. Yet, the recent convening of the PAC for candidate responsibilities has sparked varied political chatter. Based on Assembly arithmetic, a candidate needs 30 first-preference votes to win a seat. With 48 MLAs, the BJD can comfortably secure one seat. The BJP, boasting 82 MLAs including three independents, is positioned to win two seats effortlessly.
