• By News Desk
  • Sat, 28 Feb 2026 04:06 PM (IST)
  • Source:PTI

BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced senior party leader Dr Santrupt Misra and doctor Datteswar Hota as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls. Patnaik made the announcement after discussing with the party MLAs. "For the Rajya Sabha elections next month, our party has decided to nominate two candidates. The first is Dr Santrupt Misra, a senior member of our party. The other person, who is a common candidate, is Datteswar Hota, a renowned doctor from Odisha," the BJD chief said.

Patnaik said Dr Hota is the first vice-chancellor of the Odisha Health University and also served as the principal of the SCB Medical College in Cuttack. "Since he (Dr Hota) is a common candidate, I appeal to all the parties to support him and send him to the Rajya Sabha," Patnaik said. Replying to a question, the BJD supremo said he is hopeful of the victory of both candidates.

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Apart from this, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has nominated senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy and three others for the Rajya Sabha elections. The elections are set to be conducted on March 16, and Guruswamy could become India's first openly LGBTQ member of Parliament once she gets elected. Apart from Guruswamy, the ruling party in West Bengal has also nominated party leader Babul Supriyo, former Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, and actor Koel Mallick as its candidates.

 
"We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to them. May they continue to uphold Trinamool’s enduring legacy of resilience and its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every Indian," it added.

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