Jagannath Pradhan Withdraws Nomination: Mamata Mohanta Set for Rajya Sabha

BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan has withdrawn his nomination for the Rajya Sabha by-poll, ensuring Mamata Mohanta's unopposed election. Pradhan acted on party instructions, initially serving as a 'dummy candidate' to safeguard the nomination process. Mohanta's switch from BJD to BJP triggered the by-poll, set for September 3.

BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan withdrew his nomination for the Rajya Sabha by-poll on Tuesday, smoothing the path for Mamata Mohanta, the party's official candidate, to be elected unopposed. Pradhan had filed his nomination briefly after Mohanta.

During scrutiny, both Pradhan and Mohanta's nominations were deemed valid. Pradhan stated he followed party instructions in both submitting and withdrawing his nomination. According to State BJP in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, Pradhan was a 'dummy candidate,' a common party strategy to shield official nominations.

Pradhan previously contested an assembly seat but lost narrowly. Mohanta, originating from Mayurbhanj's Kudumi community, resigned from BJD and switched to BJP, sparking the by-poll. She is now set for re-election with BJP's assembly dominance.

(With inputs from agencies.)