Rajya Sabha Poll: Parties Guard MLAs Amid Cross-Voting Fears

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 09:33 IST

Ahead of the Rajya Sabha election in Odisha, BJP, BJD, and Congress strategize amid cross-voting fears. The voting will be held tomorrow.

A day before the Rajya Sabha election in Odisha, intense political activity is underway among the BJP, BJD and Congress. Amid fears of cross-voting, the three parties are holding separate meetings and preparing strategies with their MLAs at different locations.

Five candidates are contesting in the Rajya Sabha election from the state. While BJP is likely to win two seats and BJD one seat, the contest for the fourth seat is expected to be intense between two independent candidates.

Dr. Datteshwar Hota has received the support of opposition parties BJD and Congress. On the other hand, former Union Minister Dilip Ray has entered the fray as an independent candidate. Despite lacking the required numbers, Ray is banking on support from opposition MLAs. Opposition parties have alleged that the ruling BJP is trying to secure support from rival camps for Ray.

To keep its MLAs united, the ruling BJP has gathered its legislators at a hotel in Paradip. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and BJP state president Manmohan Samal are present there along with the MLAs. BJP state vice-president Biranchi Tripathy said many MLAs in the party are new, and they are being trained on how to cast their votes in the Rajya Sabha election.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik is holding meetings with party MLAs at his residence, Naveen Niwas. He is interacting with the legislators individually. BJD vice-president Debi Mishra said all party MLAs are united and alleged that the ruling BJP is attempting “horse-trading."

On the other hand, the Congress state president is holding a meeting with party MLAs at Congress Bhavan. However, the party is worried about possible cross-voting among its legislators. Eight Congress MLAs are currently in Bengaluru and are expected to reach Bhubaneswar by tonight.

Voting for the Rajya Sabha election will be held in the Odisha Assembly tomorrow.

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