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Congress, BJD Prep for Rajya Sabha Polls Amid Horse-Trading Allegations

Congress MLA Ramachandra Kadam detailed a comprehensive training session for party MLAs on the Rajya Sabha voting process in Bhubaneswar. Meanwhile, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik held a separate meeting and accused the BJP and its candidates of engaging in horse-trading for the polls. The elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states are scheduled for March 16, with counting on the same evening. The BJD has fielded Santrupt Misra, while the BJP has nominated Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar for the Odisha seats.

Key Points: Rajya Sabha Polls: Congress, BJD Strategy Amid Horse-Trading Claims

  • Congress conducted mock voting drill
  • BJD alleges BJP of horse-trading
  • Polling for 37 Rajya Sabha seats on March 16
  • Terms of members from 10 states ending in April
2 min read

"Entire team came together": Congress MLA Ramachandra Kadam on upcoming RS polls

Congress holds mock drill, BJD alleges BJP horse-trading ahead of crucial Rajya Sabha elections for 37 seats across 10 states.

"The BJP and their three Rajya Sabha candidates are all trying their best to engage in horse trading, which is an offence to win this democratic election. - Naveen Patnaik"

Bhubaneswar, March 15

Ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, Congress leader Ramachandra Kadam discussed the arrangements made for the voting process within the Assembly.

Kadam confirmed that all party members attended a training session in Bhubaneswar.

"We visited today for the mock drill; the PCC President, our MLA Sagar, and the entire team came together, and the Secretary walked us through everything. The Presiding Officer demonstrated how the actual process would be conducted, showing us the seating arrangements, where the 30% reserve staff would be positioned, and where the agents would sit. We have just received a comprehensive briefing on exactly how the voting process will unfold. Based on this information, we will now hold discussions with all our MLAs," Kadam told ANI.

Earlier, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik held a meeting with party leaders in Bhubaneswar to discuss the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Raising concerns over alleged horse-trading for the polls, Patnaik stated that such tactics are 'an offence to win this democratic election.

Speaking to the media, Patnaik said, "Our party MLAs and all of us have just had a meeting with the concerned officers about the process of the elections for the upcoming Rajya Sabha. The BJP and their three Rajya Sabha candidates are all trying their best to engage in horse trading, which is an offence to win this democratic election."

The polling for the biennial elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to fill the 37 seats across 10 states is scheduled to take place on March 16, with the counting of votes on the same day at 5 pm.

The term of 37 members who were elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will conclude in the month of April, vacating the seats for new members to be elected.

BJD announced Santrupt Misra as its candidate, and the BJP has nominated Odisha party chief Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Every party is accusing the other of horse-trading. It's become a tired script before every Rajya Sabha election. Instead of just training MLAs on where to sit, parties should train them on voting with their conscience for the state's development. 🤔
R
Rohit P
The BJD chief's concerns are valid. Horse-trading undermines the very foundation of our democratic process. The EC needs to have a very strict vigil. Odisha's representation in the Rajya Sabha should be based on merit and ideology, not money power.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to get a peek into the process. The mention of "30% reserve staff" and agent seating shows how meticulously planned these elections are behind the scenes. Hope the actual voting is as smooth as the mock drill!
M
Manish T
With all due respect to Kadam ji, the "entire team came together" for a drill, but will they come together when it matters? Internal unity has been a challenge. Actions during the actual vote will speak louder than this briefing. Jai Hind.
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Naveen S
Rajya Sabha elections are crucial for shaping national policy. Parties are fighting hard for Odisha's seats. Let's see if the candidates like Santrupt Misra or Manmohan Samal can truly raise Odisha's issues in Parliament effectively. 🤞

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