Ashwini Vaishnaw, currently serving as the Railway Minister, recently embarked on a two-day visit to Bhubaneswar, intensifying speculation about his candidacy. In 2019, Vaishnaw secured a Rajya Sabha seat with the support of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and there are indications of a similar alliance this time.

However, official statements from the BJP or the BJD regarding his candidacy are yet to be made. The official term of three Rajya Sabha members from Odisha, including Vaishnaw, concludes in April this year. While statistics suggest that the BJD could have secured victory for all three seats, only two candidates have been officially fielded as of now, with nominations submitted on Tuesday. The unfolding dynamics in Odisha politics are keeping the spotlight on the final list of candidates before the February 15 deadline.

Simultaneously, in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has expanded its candidate list to include three more alongside L Murugan, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The party aims to secure victory in five vacant seats, where the BJP holds the numerical advantage to win four, while the Congress is anticipated to claim one seat.

The nominations of Vaishnaw and Murugan highlight the BJP’s strategic approach to fortify its representation in the Rajya Sabha. As the election process unfolds, all eyes will be on the outcomes and the potential impact on the dynamics of the upper house.