With cross-voting fears intensifying before the crucial Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha, the Congress has shifted its MLAs to Bengaluru under the watch of Karnataka DCMBengaluru: In a high-stakes political manoeuvre ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha, the Congress has flown its MLAs to Bengaluru amid rising concerns of possible cross-voting. The move, widely described as a classic case of “resort politics,” is aimed at safeguarding party legislators and preventing any alleged poaching attempts during the crucial parliamentary contest.
Late Thursday night, Odisha Congress MLAs and senior leaders landed at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on an Indigo flight from Bhubaneswar. The delegation arrived around 11 pm and was received by close associates of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is widely regarded within the Congress as a crisis manager and political troubleshooter.
With tight security arrangements and police escort, the leaders were immediately transported from the airport to Wonderla Resort in Bidadi, Ramanagara district, where exclusive accommodation has been arranged to house the legislators during the politically sensitive period.
Congress Moves MLAs to Prevent Cross-Voting
According to sources within the Congress, the decision to relocate the MLAs to Karnataka was taken after concerns emerged over possible cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections, a development that could significantly alter the outcome of the contest.
The party is believed to be attempting to counter what it describes as the BJP’s alleged “Operation Kamal” strategy, a political tactic widely associated with attempts to engineer defections or influence legislators during key votes.
The group that arrived in Bengaluru includes prominent Congress leaders such as MLAs Mangu Khila, Appala Swamy, Rajan Ekka, and Ashok Kumar. Reports suggest that around 14 individuals, including former MP Bhakta Charan Das and Congress spokesperson Durga Prasad Panda, are part of the delegation currently stationed in the city.
“The relocation is aimed at ensuring unity among legislators and preventing any possibility of cross-voting ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections,” sources within the Congress indicated.
Numbers Game Intensifies in Odisha Assembly
The political calculations surrounding the Rajya Sabha elections have made the numbers game in the 147-member Odisha Legislative Assembly extremely critical.
Currently, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) holds 50 seats, while the Congress has 14 MLAs. The ruling BJP commands the support of 79 legislators, giving it a strong presence in the Assembly.
For the Rajya Sabha contest, the BJD has nominated Santrapt Mishra as its official candidate. Additionally, Dattatreya Hota has been fielded as a common candidate for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat with the support of the Congress.
Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded two candidates and has also extended support to independent candidate Dilip Ray, making the contest highly competitive and politically sensitive.
Why Cross-Voting Could Decide the Outcome
In the Rajya Sabha election process, a candidate requires at least 30 first-preference votes to secure victory. While the BJD is comfortably positioned to ensure the election of its official nominee Santrapt Mishra, the fate of Dattatreya Hota hinges heavily on the votes of Congress legislators.
At the same time, independent candidate Dilip Ray, backed by the BJP, could emerge victorious only if he manages to secure support from at least eight opposition MLAs. This delicate arithmetic has elevated the risk of cross-voting, making every vote crucial.
Political observers believe that this uncertainty is precisely why Congress has chosen to temporarily relocate its MLAs to Bengaluru, ensuring that they remain united and committed to the party’s voting strategy.
With the Rajya Sabha elections approaching, the dramatic relocation of legislators has added a new layer of intrigue to the political battle, intensifying speculation over behind-the-scenes negotiations and strategic alliances.
