Bhubaneswar, March 3 -- In a move that has set Odisha's political circles abuzz, former union minister Dillip Ray has announced that he will contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from the state as an Independent candidate, with the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
His decision has intensified the race for the crucial fourth Rajya Sabha seat, turning it into a high-stakes political contest.
Ray's entry into the fray has triggered heightened political activity across the state.
In the 147-member Odisha Legislative Assembly, the BJP holds 79 seats and also enjoys the support of three Independent MLAs, putting it in a comfortable position to secure two of the four Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), wit...