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BJP Confident of Rajya Sabha Wins in Odisha, Claims Cross-Voting Support

BJP MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi expressed confidence that the BJP will win the maximum Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha, claiming support from 82 MLAs. He asserted that internal dissatisfaction within the BJD and Congress could lead to cross-voting in favor of BJP candidates. The BJP plans to contest three seats, while the BJD has named two candidates, including a common candidate seeking Congress support. The election outcome hinges on voting equations and potential cross-party alignments.

Key Points: BJP Eyes Rajya Sabha Seats in Odisha, Claims BJD & Congress Support

  • BJP claims 82 MLA support
  • Expects cross-voting from BJD & Congress
  • Internal dissent in opposition parties
  • Competition for third and fourth seats
2 min read

BJP confident of winning maximum Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha: MLA Prakash Sethi

BJP MLA Prakash Sethi claims party has 82 MLAs' support and expects cross-voting from dissatisfied BJD & Congress legislators in Rajya Sabha polls.

"We have the support of a total 82 MLAs and two of our candidates will be easily elected - Prakash Sethi"

Bhubaneswar, March 3

BJP MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi on Tuesday expressed confidence that the BJP will secure the maximum number of seats in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Odisha.

Sethi asserted that several MLAs from both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Indian National Congress (Congress) are going to extend support to the BJP candidate in the interest of the state.

The BJP MLA claimed that internal dissatisfaction within Congress and BJD could influence the voting pattern. According to him, some legislators from the Opposition parties are not happy with their respective party leadership and may cross-vote during the Rajya Sabha polls.

"We have the support of a total 82 MLAs and two of our candidates will be easily elected to Rajya Sabha. There is a competition for the third and fourth seats. The BJD had already suspended two of its MLAs while two MLAs remained absent from the crucial Congress Legislature Party meeting held yesterday," said Sethi.

Sethi maintained that the BJP has the required numbers and is confident of winning the seat with a comfortable margin.

"BJP is in touch with MLAs from BJD and Congress. In the interest of Odisha's development and political stability, many of them are expected to support our candidate," Sethi said.

He added that even if additional support is needed, the party is hopeful of securing backing from MLAs across party lines. The Rajya Sabha election in Odisha has generated significant political interest, with parties actively engaging in strategic discussions to consolidate support. The final outcome will depend on voting equations and potential cross-party alignments.

It is worth noting that after a high-level meeting of ruling party MLAs held here on Monday, a senior BJP leader informed the media that the party would contest three Rajya Sabha seats.

Meanwhile, a crucial meeting of the Congress Legislature Party was also held on Monday at a hotel near Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar to chalk out the party's strategy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha.

A BJD-backed common candidate for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat, Dr Datteswar Hota, has also attended the meeting seeking the support of the Congress legislators. BJD President Naveen Patnaik had earlier named senior party leader Santrupt Misra and urologist Datteswar Hota as the two candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting dynamics in Odisha politics. If MLAs are indeed cross-voting for "the interest of the state's development," that's a positive sign. Hope it leads to more cooperative federalism and less pointless obstruction in the Upper House.
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Priyanka N
The BJD suspending its own MLAs and Congress MLAs skipping meetings shows a serious lack of discipline. How can we expect stable governance if the parties themselves are so fragmented? Voters give them the mandate, not for internal fights.
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Aman W
Confident claims, but Rajya Sabha polls are always full of surprises! 🤔 The mention of a BJD-backed candidate seeking Congress support for the 4th seat is the real twist. This is more about post-election alliances for 2024 than just these RS seats.
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Karthik V
As someone from Odisha, I just hope whoever wins works for the state. We need strong voices in the Rajya Sabha to raise issues like industrial development in KBK region, coastal erosion, and better implementation of central schemes. Jai Jagannath! 🙏
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Michael C
While the BJP's confidence is notable, making claims about opposition MLAs being dissatisfied and ready to cross-vote is a standard political tactic. It puts pressure on the BJD and Congress whips. The actual floor test is what counts.

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