Bhubaneswar, February 28 BJD president Naveen Patnaik announced senior party leader Dr Santrupt Misra and doctor Datteswar Hota as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on Saturday.
Patnaik made the announcement after discussions with the party MLAs.
"For the Rajya Sabha elections next month, our party has decided to nominate two candidates. The first is Dr Santrupt Misra, a senior member of our party. The other candidate, who is a common candidate, is Datteswar Hota, a renowned doctor from Odisha," the BJD chief said.
Patnaik said Dr Hota is the first vice-chancellor of the Odisha Health University and also served as the principal of the SCB Medical College in Cuttack.
"Since he (Dr Hota) is a common candidate, I appeal to all the parties to support him and send him to the Rajya Sabha," Patnaik said.
Responding to a question, the BJD supremo said he is hopeful of the victory of both candidates.
