Bhubaneswar: BJP’s Debashish Samantaray was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha on Thursday after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations for the June 18 bypoll lapsed. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated him, expressing confidence that Samantaray’s political experience and commitment to public service would help advance Odisha’s development. “I firmly believe you will serve the state and its people effectively. May Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath bless you with success and strength,” Majhi said in a social media post. Samantaray will serve the remainder of the term till April 2030.


