Congress Relocates MLAs to Bengaluru as BJD Conducts Training Ahead of Rajya Sabha Polls
In a strategic move ahead of the crucial March 16 Rajya Sabha elections, the Congress party in Odisha has shifted nine of its 14 legislators to a resort in Bengaluru. Simultaneously, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has organized mandatory daily meetings for its MLAs over three days starting Friday to safeguard against potential horse-trading.
Congress's Preemptive Measures Against Political Maneuvering
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das personally accompanied the MLAs to the Bidai resort in Bengaluru South district. Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, who remained in Odisha, confirmed the relocation, stating that eight MLAs traveled on Thursday evening while Dasarathi Gomango departed on Friday.
"Nine MLAs went on a leisurely weekend trip while five of us are here," Kadam explained. "You know how BJP is openly trying to trade MLAs. But all our colleagues remain united."
The five MLAs who didn't travel—Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Sagar Charan Das (son of OPCC chief Bhakta Charan Das), Sofia Firdous, Ramesh Jena, and Kadam himself—remain with the party despite not joining the Bengaluru trip for various personal reasons.
BJD's Countermeasures and Training Sessions
On the opposing side, BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has mandated evening "training sessions" at his residence for all party legislators. These sessions, scheduled for three consecutive days beginning Friday, focus on Rajya Sabha election procedures, voting rules, and legislature party meetings.
Both parties are working diligently to maintain unity within their ranks to ensure the victory of their common independent candidate, Datteswar Hota, a urologist contesting for one of Odisha's four Rajya Sabha seats among 37 nationwide.
The Electoral Mathematics and Key Players
The political arithmetic reveals a tight contest. With BJD's 48 MLAs (excluding two suspended members) and Congress's 14, the alliance possesses exactly two votes more than the 59 required to elect both BJD's official candidate Santrupt Misra and independent candidate Hota.
Adding to this coalition, the lone CPM MLA Laxman Munda has pledged support, strengthening their position.
Their primary challenger is former Union minister Dilip Ray, contesting as an independent with BJP backing. The BJP, with 79 MLAs and support from three independents, will have 23 surplus first-preference votes for Ray after securing required votes for its two official candidates, Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar.
Potential Deciding Factors and Historical Context
The votes of the two suspended BJD MLAs—Sanatan Mahakud and Arvind Mohapatra—along with any instances of cross-voting could prove decisive in this closely contested election. Ray previously won as an independent in 2002 through cross-voting support from BJP, Congress, and BJD members, highlighting the volatility of such elections.
In Bengaluru, the relocated Congress MLAs and party president Bhakta Charan Das met with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Friday. Shivakumar expressed solidarity on social media, stating: "Their unity and determination show that no attempt can weaken the resolve of Congress leaders to stand together and protect democratic values."
As the March 16 polling date approaches, both major parties in Odisha are employing unprecedented measures to maintain discipline and prevent defections in what has become a high-stakes political battle for Rajya Sabha representation.
