Five filed papers for Rajya Sabha elections in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Mar 17 (UNI) Five candidates, including one independent, have filed their nominations for the March 28 Rajya Sabha election in Orissa.

While three nominations were filed yesterday, two by the BJP and the other by the Biju Janata Dal, Congress candidate Sushila Tiriya and Independent candidate Binod Mishra filed the nomination today.

Official sources said no MLA either proposed or seconded Mr Mishra's nomination papers.

Of the four seats which fell vacant in Orissa, the terms for three were completed, while election to the fourth seat was necessitated following the expulsion of BJP MP Chhatrapal Singh Lodha in the wake of the ''Cash for Query'' sting operation by a TV channel.

The BJP had renominated Mr Radar Narayan Pani and fielded tribal leader Bhagirathi Majhi against the Rajya Saha seat, held by Mr Lodha.

The BJD also renominated Mr Baijant Panda for the second time judging by his performance in Parliament.

Congress candidate Sushila Tiriya, accompanied by AICC General Secretary V.Narayan Swami and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly J.B.Pattnaik, Pradesh Congress chief Jayadev Jena and other party MLAs filed three sets of nomination papers before the Returning Officer.

Scrutiny of nominations would be held tomorrow.

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