Four Men Arrested in Bengaluru for Alleged Rs 5 Crore Bribe Offer to Odisha Congress MLAs
In a dramatic development ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, four individuals were apprehended in Bengaluru on Sunday. They stand accused of attempting to bribe eight Congress legislators from Odisha with a staggering sum of Rs 5 crore each. The alleged inducement was intended to secure their votes in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the crucial Rajya Sabha polls scheduled for Monday.
Congress Alleges 'Operation Lotus' as BJP Dismisses Claims
The arrests followed swiftly after Karnataka Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar leveled serious allegations concerning what he termed "Operation Lotus." Addressing reporters, Shivakumar stated, "Four men tried to influence our Odisha MLAs in a hotel by offering them Rs 5 crore each to cross-vote. Following an FIR, all four have been arrested." This accusation points to a purported strategy of political poaching.
In a sharp rebuttal, BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal dismissed the allegations as baseless. "Since Congress is staring at imminent defeat, they're making false claims," Biswal asserted, suggesting the charges were a tactical move born out of desperation. Meanwhile, Odisha Congress president Bhakta Charan Das claimed that the arrested men had direct links to the BJP, further intensifying the political feud.
Strategic Moves and Security Measures
Amid mounting concerns over horse-trading and cross-voting, the Congress party had proactively moved eight of its fourteen Odisha legislators to a secure resort in Bengaluru last Thursday. This preemptive measure was designed to shield them from potential poaching attempts and ensure party discipline during the high-stakes Rajya Sabha elections.
Rajya Sabha Battle in Odisha: A Tight Contest
The political landscape in Odisha is charged as five candidates vie for four available Rajya Sabha seats. The BJP has fielded state president Manmohan Samal and re-nominated outgoing Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar. Additionally, the party is extending its support to Independent candidate Dilip Ray for the third seat.
On the other side, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has nominated Santrupt Misra, while also backing Independent candidate Datteswar Hota. Notably, Hota is receiving support from both the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), creating an unusual alliance.
With numerical advantages on their side, BJP's Samal and Kumar are anticipated to secure their seats comfortably, as is BJD's Misra. The real electoral battle is concentrated on the fourth seat, where Hota and Ray are locked in a fiercely competitive race. This contest is fraught with anxieties over possible cross-voting and persistent allegations of horse-trading, underscoring the intense political maneuvering at play.
The unfolding events highlight the volatile nature of Rajya Sabha elections, where allegations of financial inducements and strategic defections often surface, testing the integrity of the democratic process.
