Rajya Sabha Polls: Nitish Kumar Victorious As NDA Sweeps Bihar; BJP & Ally Win 3 Seats In Odisha

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 21:43 IST

In Odisha, 3 candidates supported by the BJP — Manmohan Samal, Sujit Kumar and BJP-backed Independent Dilip Ray — won three of the four seats.

The results of the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha and Bihar were declared on Monday, with the BJP-led Democratic Alliance (NDA) registering key victories.

In Odisha, three candidates supported by the BJP — Manmohan Samal, Sujit Kumar and BJP-backed Independent Dilip Ray — won three of the four seats. The remaining seat went to Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Santrupt Misra.

The election was held after a gap of 12 years as five candidates were contesting for four vacancies that will arise on April 2. The terms of members Niranjan Bishi and Munna Khan of the BJD, and Sujit Kumar and Mamata Mohanta of the BJP, are set to end on that date.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called the result a “memorable day" for the state. “Three candidates fielded by us won in the Rajya Sabha elections today… All the legislators, whether from the Congress party or the BJD, voted for all three candidates with overwhelming votes to advance Odisha’s development," he said.

However, polling day saw tensions in the Assembly as a scuffle broke out between BJD and BJP MLAs.

BJD chief and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP of “horse-trading" and alleged irregularities in the voting process, claiming that a legislator was issued a second ballot paper in violation of norms.

News elections Rajya Sabha Polls: Nitish Kumar Victorious As NDA Sweeps Bihar; BJP & Ally Win 3 Seats In Odisha

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