In Odisha, BJP nominees Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar filed their nomination papers today, along with party-backed former Union Minister Dilip Ray, who is contesting as an Independent candidate, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections to be held on the 16th of March. The nominations were filed at the Odisha Legislative Assembly in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other senior BJP leaders. Dilip Ray is contesting for the crucial fourth Rajya Sabha seat against Dr Datteswar Hota, who has been fielded as a common candidate of the BJD and the Congress party. Meanwhile, BJD nominees Santrupta Mishra and Dr Hota also filed their nomination papers today. Based on the present strength in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the ruling BJP is expected to win two seats comfortably, while the BJD is likely to secure one seat.