Odisha Rajysabha Election: Political earthquake in Odisha; ‘Cross-voting’ of 11 BJD and Congress MLAs

• Total 11 MLAs cross voting in Odisha Rajya Sabha elections including 5 from BJD and 3 from Congress
• Devi Ranjan Tripathi openly revolts by calling BJD-Congress ‘immoral alliance’ invalid
• Naveen Patnaik alleges illegal provision of second ballot paper to an MLA, making serious allegations against election process

Odisha Rajyasabha Election: Information has come to light that there was a big mess during the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha. There are reports that the MLAs of both the Biju Janata Dal and Congress parties of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik have rebelled. According to local news channels of Odisha, about 10 opposition MLAs cross-voted in Odisha’s Rajya Sabha elections. The fact that five Biju Janata Dal and three Congress MLAs cross-voted in favor of Rajya Sabha candidate Dilip Ray has created a stir in political circles.

During the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha, as many as 11 MLAs of BJD and Congress cross-voted by discarding party orders. BJD MLA Devi Ranjan Tripathi has publicly admitted that she voted for BJP-backed candidate Dilip Ray. Tripathi clarified that he did not accept the ‘immoral alliance’ between BJD and Congress and took this decision to preserve Biju Patnaik’s legacy.

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Meanwhile, Congress’ Dasharathi Gomango, Sophia Firdaus, Ramesh Chandra Jena as well as BJD’s Chakramani Kanhar, Subhashini Jena, Souvik Biswal and other suspended MLAs were revealed to have voted in favor of BJP sponsored candidate Dilip Ray. This massive rebellion has created political turmoil in Odisha and internal discontent in both parties has come to the fore.

Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik has expressed his deep displeasure over the voting process of the ongoing Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha. Patnaik has claimed that after an MLA from Brahmagiri assembly constituency made a mistake while voting, the election officials illegally provided him with a second ballot paper. He has strongly criticized the administration’s stance saying that this is against democratic values ​​and is a clear violation of election rules.

BJD MLA Devi Tripathi, on the other hand, said her conscience forced her to take a different stand, refusing to vote for the “unfit alliance” candidate. Also, Sauvik Biswal also questioned the internal workings of the party, admitting to voting for a candidate who had “Biju Babu’s blessings”.

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On the other hand, there is a big divide in the Congress too. State president Bhakta Charan Das expressed strong displeasure at the role of his daughter Sophia Firdaus and Ramesh Jena. Das expressed the suspicion that Sophia went outside the party territory and voted despite being educated. “Sofia’s future was thought to be bright, but her vote is shocking,” Das expressed his dismay.

In Odisha, four Rajya Sabha seats are contested between five candidates, with allegations of cross-voting making the election highly tense. BJP has nominated Manmohan Samal and Sujit Kumar and has also announced its support to independent candidate Dilip Rai. Santrit Mishra is in the fray from BJD, while Dr. Dutteshwar Hota is contesting as a joint candidate of BJD, Congress and CPI(M).

As per election rules, MLAs are required to show their ballot papers to the party’s authorized agent. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singhdev and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan are acting as agents for BJP, Pratap Keshari Dev for BJD and Bhakta Charan Das as agents for Congress. Due to the political upheaval during the actual voting, now all eyes are on the result of this election and the subsequent political upheaval.