Bhubaneswar, March 5 -- Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das on Thursday said that the Indian National Congress, Biju Janata Dal and Communist Party of India (Marxist) have decided to support a joint candidate, Datteshwar Hota, for the Rajya Sabha elections.

Speaking to ANI, Das said the decision was taken considering Hota's work and his non-partisan background.

"Congress, BJD and CPI(M) have all decided to support the joint candidate Datteshwar Hota. Considering his work, we decided that he is a good person. He doesn't belong to any party, so all the like-minded parties can support him," Das said.

He also said that Naveen Patnaik was clear about the decision and called it a significant step in the current political situation of...