Miffed BJD leaders in Odisha are reportedly uniting around hotelier Dilip Ray's Rajya Sabha victory, signaling potential political shifts in the state.

Following his expulsion from the Biju Janata Dal in 2002, the former Union Coal Minister had pulled off a surprise win in the election to the Upper House as an independent candidate

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has suspended six of its MLAs in Odisha after they voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed Independent candidate Dilip Ray in the Rajya Sabha polls, following their earlier response to show-cause notices.

The Odisha Rajya Sabha polls are expected to be a close contest with Dilip Ray entering the race, while the BJP has nominated its Odisha chief Manmohan Samal and MP Sujeet Kumar.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Odisha's BJP MLAs and candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls, including party nominees Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar, and independent Dilip Ray.