With hotelier Dilip Ray in the fray, Rajya Sabha contest in Odisha sparks interest

Dilip Ray, a former Union Coal Minister and founding member of the BJD, has entered the Rajya Sabha election as an independent candidate backed by the BJP. The BJP can comfortably elect two members to the Rajya Sabha while the BJD can ensure the election of one. The BJP has announced its State unit president Manmohan Samal and sitting Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar as its candidates, while the BJD has chosen Santrupt Mishra. The outcome will depend on the support from other parties, including the Congress.