Congress Airlifts Odisha MLAs to Bengaluru Resort Ahead of Tight Rajya Sabha Polls
With the Rajya Sabha elections looming just days away, the Congress party has executed a strategic move by transporting a group of its Odisha legislators to Bengaluru. This action aims to consolidate its flock and mitigate risks of cross-voting and political maneuvering in the state.
Precautionary Measures Amid Rising Political Tensions
According to party sources, eight Congress MLAs from Odisha were flown out of Bhubaneswar late on Thursday night. They have been accommodated at a private resort situated on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where they are slated to remain until shortly before the March 16 election.
This decision follows the BJP's nomination of a second candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat, a development that has escalated political tensions and prompted intense behind-the-scenes calculations. Congress insiders reveal that relocating the legislators out of Odisha serves as a precautionary step to shield them from potential influence or poaching attempts ahead of the critical vote.
Ensuring Unity in a Tight Contest
A senior Congress functionary emphasized the party's unwillingness to take any risks in a contest that could hinge on even a single vote. The leadership is keen to ensure that its MLAs remain insulated from possible inducements or political bargaining in the crucial days leading up to the election.
Currently, the Congress holds 14 MLAs in the Odisha Assembly. To secure the Rajya Sabha seat for its nominee, the party will require support beyond its own strength. The entry of a second BJP candidate has significantly complicated the arithmetic, compelling the Congress to adopt extraordinary measures to safeguard its numbers.
Expanded Coordination and Arrangements
Party sources indicate that four additional MLAs are expected to join the group in Bengaluru by Saturday morning. This move would further tighten the party's internal coordination ahead of the vote. Senior Congress leaders in Karnataka have overseen the arrangements for the visiting lawmakers, who are staying at a resort located inside an amusement park complex approximately 35 kilometers from the city.
Congress leaders accompanying the Odisha MLAs confirmed that about 20 rooms have been booked at the resort to accommodate the legislators, along with their personal staff and family members. The MLAs are likely to remain there until Monday morning before flying back to Bhubaneswar to cast their votes.
Denials and Clarifications from Karnataka Leadership
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed speculation regarding his involvement in summoning the Odisha Congress MLAs to Bengaluru. He denied issuing any invitation, stating that the legislators had traveled to the city on their own accord.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar clarified that the request for accommodation assistance came from the Odisha Pradesh Congress leadership. He mentioned that the MLAs expressed a desire to visit Bengaluru and sought a comfortable place to stay, prompting the arrangements.
Shivakumar noted that he has not yet met the legislators due to the ongoing Karnataka Assembly session but plans to do so after the proceedings conclude. He brushed aside suggestions of any organized attempt to engineer defections, asserting that such precautionary steps are commonplace in Indian politics during tightly contested elections.
This development underscores the high-stakes nature of the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, with parties taking meticulous steps to secure their positions and prevent any last-minute surprises.
