Congress Transports Odisha MLAs to Bengaluru Resort to Safeguard Against Cross-Voting in Rajya Sabha Elections
In a strategic move to counter fears of cross-voting and poaching attempts, the Congress party has shifted eight of its legislators from Odisha to a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru. This relocation comes just ahead of the critical March 16 Rajya Sabha polls, with the MLAs scheduled to be flown back to Odisha on Monday, mere hours before voting commences.
Heightened Security Measures Amid Political Tensions
Party sources have confirmed that Congress is maintaining a vigilant watch over its members to prevent any potential defections. Concurrently, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has mandated that his party MLAs attend compulsory evening "training sessions" at his Bhubaneswar residence. These sessions, spanning three days from Friday, are ostensibly designed to educate legislators on Rajya Sabha election protocols and regulations.
Battle for Rajya Sabha Seats in Odisha
A total of five candidates are vying for four Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha. In the 147-member Odisha assembly, the governing BJP holds 79 MLAs, BJD has 48, and Congress possesses 14. To secure a seat in the Rajya Sabha polls, a candidate must garner at least 30 first-preference votes. Based on current assembly strengths, two BJP nominees and one BJD candidate are anticipated to win comfortably.
The contest for the fourth seat has intensified, with BJP backing Independent candidate Dilip Ray, a former Union minister, while BJD and Congress have jointly fielded Dr. Datteshwar Hota. Congress and BJD collectively have the numerical advantage to ensure Hota's victory, provided there is no cross-voting.
Political Maneuvering and Concerns
However, the inclusion of Dilip Ray has complicated the electoral landscape for Congress and BJD, prompting desperate efforts to maintain party unity. Karnataka deputy chief minister and state Congress president D.K. Shivakumar, who is overseeing the arrangements at the Wonderla resort near Bidadi, stated, "There were concerns of possible cross-voting and attempts to influence MLAs with big offers. As a safeguard, the leadership decided to move them out of the state until voting."
With 79 MLAs and support from three Independents, BJP will have 23 surplus first-preference votes for Ray after securing the required numbers for its two official candidates, Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar. Additionally, the votes of two suspended BJD MLAs, Sanatan Mahakud and Arvind Mohapatra, along with any potential cross-voting, pose significant challenges that Congress and BJD must vigilantly guard against.
MLAs Housed in Bengaluru and Historical Context
The eight Congress MLAs currently accommodated at the Bengaluru resort are Rajan Ekka, Ashok Das, Appala Kumar Swamy, Mangu Killo, Pavitra Sauntha, Nilamadhav Hikka, Prafulla Pradhan, and Satyajeet Gomongo. Shivakumar, accompanied by Karnataka Congress MLAs H.C. Balakrishna and C.P. Yogeshwar, visited the resort late Friday evening and conducted a meeting with the legislators. Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das and AICC secretary Mayur Jayakumar were also in attendance.
Reflecting on this move, Shivakumar remarked, "Look, I had faced a lot of income tax raids for hosting the Gujarat MLAs in 2017. Even then, we'll do whatever the party tells us to. These are nothing new." In August 2017, Shivakumar played a pivotal role as a troubleshooter for the party by hosting 44 Gujarat Congress MLAs at a resort near Bengaluru ahead of a Rajya Sabha election, which was crucial in securing a win for senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel.
Statements from Party Leaders
Odisha Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, who did not travel to Bengaluru, commented, "You know how BJP is openly trying to trade MLAs, but all our colleagues remain united." This statement underscores the ongoing political tensions and the efforts by Congress to maintain cohesion among its ranks during this high-stakes electoral period.
