Election Commission Announces Rajya Sabha Election Dates, MLA Mamata Mohanta Resigns

The Election Commission has set September 3 for Rajya Sabha elections to fill 12 vacant seats. Key dates include August 21 for notifications and August 22 for scrutiny. MLA Mamata Mohanta resigns from BJD and joins BJP for public service.

The Election Commission has officially announced September 3 as the date for elections to fill 12 vacant Rajya Sabha seats. As per the ECI, notifications are to be made by August 21, with scrutiny of nominations following on August 22.

Candidates from Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tripura have until August 26 to withdraw, while those from Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Odisha have until August 27. Voting will take place on September 3 from 9 am to 4 pm, and votes will be counted the same day at 5 pm.

The vacant seats include two in Assam, two in Bihar, one in Haryana, one in Madhya Pradesh, two in Maharashtra, one in Rajasthan, one in Tripura, one in Telangana, and one in Odisha. Mamata Mohanta, representing the Kudumi tribals of Mayurbhanj, has resigned from both the BJD and the Rajya Sabha.

In her resignation letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Mohanta stated she was resigning on July 31, 2024, a decision she made consciously. After joining the BJP, she reiterated that her primary aim was to serve the public and enhance their welfare.

"My only aim is the service and welfare of the public. It can be fulfilled only by joining the BJP," Mohanta said. In her resignation letter to Naveen Patnaik, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Mayurbhanj and further the cause of Odisha at the national level.

She added, "However, I feel there is no requirement for my services or that of my community in the Biju Janata Dal. Therefore, I have taken this hard decision in the public interest."

(With inputs from agencies.)