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On Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its latest list of candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, featuring Ashwini Vaishnaw as its nominee from Odisha. The election, scheduled for February 27, has sparked anticipation as political alliances and strategies take center stage.
Vaishnaw, currently serving as the Minister of Railways, previously secured a Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha in 2019 with the support of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The absence of a third candidate from the BJD’s roster, with Debashish Samantaray and Subhasish Khuntia being its two nominees, led to speculation regarding Vaishnaw’s re-election with BJD’s backing.
Despite the BJP possessing adequate strength to secure all three vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha, its dependence on the BJD’s support underscores the complexities of political equations in the state assembly, where the BJP holds 22 seats.
Originally hailing from Rajasthan, Vaishnaw’s prior service as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer in Odisha adds a local connection to his candidacy. His tenure in the Upper House, representing Odisha, is set to conclude in April this year.
The symbiotic relationship between the BJP and the BJD was evidenced in 2019 when BJD President and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik pledged his party’s support to Vaishnaw following requests from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The BJP’s candidate lineup for the impending Rajya Sabha election extends beyond Odisha, encompassing multiple states:
Madhya Pradesh: Dr. L Murugan, Umesh Nath Maharaj, Maya Naroliya, Bansilal Gurjar
Odisha: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Bihar: Dr. Dharmsheela Gupta, Dr. Bhim Singh
Chhattisgarh: Raja Devendra Pratap Singh
Haryana: Subhash Barala
Karnataka: Narayana Krishanasa Bhandage
Uttar Pradesh: Sudhanshu Trivedi, RPN Singh, Chaudhary Tejveer Singh, Sadhna Singh, Amarpal Maurya, Sangita Balwant, Navin Jain
Uttarakhand: Mahendra Bhatt
West Bengal: Samik Bhattacharya
With this diverse roster, the BJP aims to consolidate its position in the Rajya Sabha while navigating the intricacies of state-level politics and alliances. As the election date draws near, all eyes remain fixed on the unfolding dynamics and strategic maneuvers in the realm of Indian politics.
