Legislators from completely different events are leaving for the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the place the biennial Rajya Sabha elections are being held on Monday (March 16, 2026).
The Rajya Sabha election has grow to be politically thrilling with 5 candidates vying for 4 vacant seats amidst large allegations of poaching of MLAs via horse-trading. Congress on Sunday (March 15, 2026) alleged 4 individuals with an intention to bribe its MLAs have been noticed in Mysuru resort the place celebration legislators have been staying.
“Reports have emerged that four individuals were arrested in Bengaluru on allegations of attempting to hand over blank cheques to MLAs with the intent to buy votes for BJP-supported Rajya Sabha candidates,” wrote former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on ‘X’ on Monday.
“For the past few days, I have been consistently stating that the BJP has been engaged in horse-trading-like activities to bring MLAs from other parties in Odisha over to its side. This arrest in Bengaluru is major proof of that. The people of Odisha are watching everything and will certainly keep this in mind,” stated Mr. Patnaik.
Ashok Kumar Das, deputy chief of the Odisha Congress Legislature Party, stated he has lodged a criticism alleging that 4 unidentified individuals approached the MLAs with gives.
Meanwhile, BJP MLAs who have been put up in a resort in port city of Paradip have arrived Bhubaneswar by bus. BJP sources stated MLAs got mock-polling coaching in order that their votes wouldn’t be rejected.
Similarly, BJD MLAs spent their evening at Naveen Niwas, the residence of former Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik, to forestall makes an attempt by rival teams to poach MLAs. The regional celebration issued present trigger discover to 2 MLAs for remaining absent from the conferences referred to as by celebration president Naveen Patnaik. They are Baliguda MLA Chakramani Kanhar and Jayadev MLA Naba Kishor Mallick haven’t been attending for the final three days. They have been requested to be current within the meeting premises.
While the BJP has fielded its State President Manmohan Samal and sitting Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar, it’s backing hotelier and former Union Minister Dilip Ray. Similarly, the BJD has introduced Santrupta Mishra, political advisor to Mr. Patnaik and Datteswar Hota, a famous urologist, because the widespread candidate. Congress has prolonged its assist Dr. Hota.
In the 147-member Odisha Legislative Assembly, the BJP has 79 MLAs and likewise enjoys the assist of three Independents. The principal Opposition celebration, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has 50 MLAs, however its power has successfully come right down to 48 after the celebration suspended Aravind Mohapatra and Sanatan Mahakud over alleged anti-party actions. The two MLAs haven’t but pledged assist to any candidate.
The Congress has 14 MLAs, whereas the lone MLA of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has introduced assist for the widespread Opposition candidate.
Published – March 16, 2026 09:16 am IST
