RS By-Poll: BJD Candidate Narendra Swain elected unopposed

Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Narendra Swain was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha on Monday, this was declared by Assembly Secretary cum Returning Officer officially.

Ruling BJD fielded Narendra Swain as its candidate for lone Rajya Sabha by-poll from Odisha. On December 3, Swain had filed his nomination paper for the election and he was accompanied by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Ministers and BJD legislators.

Notably, the lone seat in Rajya Sabhay from Odisha fell vacant due to demise of Kalpataru Das. Two candidates were in the race for the by-poll. Besides, Swain of BJD, one Ganeswar Misha had filed his nominations as independent candidate. However, his nomination papers were rejected by the returning officer during scrutiny for not carrying signature of proposers. The returning office declared Swain as elected unopposed and handed over certificate of unopposed election to him on Monday.