In the wake of BJP’s resounding victory in the Nuapada by-election, the party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sujit Kumar has sparked a fresh political debate by predicting a strong haul for his party in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Odisha.
With four seats set to fall vacant next year, Kumar claimed that the BJP is poised to secure at least three, leaving just one for the opposition BJD, amid intensifying speculation in political circles.
The vacancies arise in April 2026, when the terms of four sitting Rajya Sabha members from Odisha conclude: BJP’s Sujit Kumar and Mamata Mohanta, alongside BJD’s Munna Khan and Niranjan Bishi. The election for these seats will hinge on the numerical strength in the state assembly, where BJP currently holds 82 MLAs, BJD has 51, and Congress 14. The recent BJP win in Nuapada—boosting its tally—has shifted the dynamics, prompting early arithmetic on seat shares.
Addressing reporters here, Kumar exuded confidence, stating, “Out of the four Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant next year, two are clear for the BJP. One will go to the BJD, while there’s a close contest on the fourth. However, the probability of it going to the BJP is quite high. The party doesn’t even need to push hard for it.” He added a personal note on his potential renomination, highlighting his experience in Kalahandi district: “I have experience on Kalahandi issues. The party’s parliamentary board will take the final decision.”
The BJP’s Nuapada success has been hailed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who praised the party’s efforts. Sources suggest the leadership may reward key performers from the by-poll with strategic roles, including possible Rajya Sabha nominations.
However, the remarks have drawn sharp rebuttal from BJD MLA Sarada Prasanna Jena, who accused the BJP of overconfidence fueled by “power and money.” “They won Nuapada using the might of power and finances, and now Sujit Kumar thinks they can capture Rajya Sabha seats the same way,” Jena said. He questioned Kumar’s own prospects, alleging reliance on party favoritism: “He’s anxious about how he’ll make it to Rajya Sabha himself and is banking on BJP’s support. But in a democratic system like ours, this won’t be possible.”
As Odisha’s political landscape heats up ahead of the 2026 polls, the Rajya Sabha battle underscores the fragile balance in the 147-member assembly. With BJP short of a simple majority (74) for uncontested wins under the proportional representation system, alliances or cross-voting could prove decisive. Analysts note that the by-election victory has narrowed the gap, but BJD’s resilience and Congress’s role remain wild cards.
The coming months will see heightened lobbying within parties, with the parliamentary board’s decisions likely to set the tone for nominations. For now, Kumar’s bold projection has reignited the Rajya Sabha “mission” for BJP, while opposition voices warn against any “muscle-flexing” in the upper house race.
