Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Nov 27: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik named BJD general secretary Narendra Kumar Swain as the party’s candidate for the Rajya Sabha bypoll scheduled to be held December 14.
“I would like to announce name of Narendra Kumar Swain, general secretary of BJD, as the party’s candidate for the Rajya Sabha bypoll,” Patnaik told newsmen here, putting speculation to rest.
Swain conveyed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for fielding him as the candidate for the bypoll. “I am thankful to party chief Naveen Patnaik for his decision and will always work for the party,” he said.
The BJD general secretary claimed he was from a poor farmer’s family. “I am an honest worker of BJD. After studies, I joined the party and whenever I was given any responsibility I tried to fulfil it with sincerity,” said Swain, who was chairman of Orissa Tourism Development Corporation.
Swain said he will work with dedication for the party and serve the larger interests of the state. “Our party will continue to fight for justice the against Centre’s decision to delink eight projects and curtail funds for other schemes,” he said. “Like Bihar, the Centre should also allocate a special grant to Orissa,” he said.
The Assembly had Thursday issued notification for the Rajya Sabha bypoll. The filing of nominations began Thursday and will continue till December 3. The papers will be verified December 4. The last date of withdrawal of nominations is December 7.
The Rajya Sabha seat from Orissa was lying vacant after the demise of BJD member and sitting MP Kalpataru Das July 25. Das’s tenure as Rajya Sabha member was till April 2, 2020.