Puri, March 17 -- Newly elected Rajya Sabha member Dilip Ray on Tuesday visited the Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri, in Odisha, to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.

During his visit, he expressed gratitude at being supported by various political parties, including the BJP, BJD, and Congress, for their repeated election to the Rajya Sabha.

"I last contested for the Rajya Sabha in 2002 and served until 2008. Now, after that, this is the third time I am entering the Rajya Sabha. This time, I stood as an independent candidate, and the BJP leadership has supported me fully. Brothers and sisters from the BJD and Congress have also supported me; everyone came together to bring about this victory. That is why I have come here to Lord Jaganna...