By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 18, 2017 : The ruling Biju Janata Dal’s [BJD] Rajya Sabha candidate Pratap Keshari Deb on Friday was elected unopposed to the Upper House.

Pratap Keshari Dev

A formal announcement in this regard was made by Rajya Sabha Returning Officer.

Deb had filed his nomination for the by-poll to the lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha on May 15, the last date of filing nominations.

His election to Rajya Sabha was certain as opposition had not fielded any candidate.

The Upper House seat from Odisha had fallen vacant following resignation of Bishnu Charan Das on March 21 this year. His term of office would have ended on July 1, 2022.