Rajya Sabha Elections: Is a BJD-Congress understanding taking shape in Odisha?

The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections have triggered fresh political speculation in Odisha, with the contest for the fourth seat emerging as a key battleground that could reshape the state’s political equations. 

While the numbers suggest that the BJP is set to win two of the four seats and the BJD one, all eyes are now on the fourth seat, where intense political calculations are underway.

Common Candidate

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced Dr. Datteswar Hota as its common candidate for the fourth seat. The move gained further significance after Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Bhakta Charan Das extended support to Hota, effectively ensuring Congress backing for the nominee. The development has sparked widespread discussion about a possible new understanding between the BJD and the Congress.

“We have nominated Dr. Datteswar Hota. Since, he is the common candidate, I appeal to all the parties to support him and send him to the Rajya Sabha,” former CM Naveen Patnaik announced.

Also Read: BJD declares Santrupt Misra and Dr. Datteswar Hota as Rajya Sabha candidates

Likewise, Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das said, “With the guidance of Congress President Kharge ji and our leader Rahul Gandhi, we have taken a step to maintain a good relationship.” 

With the opposition appearing to consolidate its numbers, the focus has shifted to the BJP’s strategy. Will the ruling party field a common candidate to counter the BJD-Congress support base, or will it bring in a prominent face from outside the state unit? Names such as businessman Dilip Ray and a few national-level leaders are being discussed in political circles.

Horse-Trading Allegations

On the other hand, BJP’s Manmohan Samal said, “It is their strategy. For us, our Parliamentary Committee’s decision will be final. I have forwarded all the information and the necessary info to the committee. Their decision will be final.”

As per the current arithmetic, a candidate requires 30 votes to secure victory. After accounting for its confirmed seat, the BJD is left with 18 votes, while Congress, along with a CPI MLA, has 15 votes — taking the total to 33 in support of Hota. This makes his position relatively comfortable.

On the other hand, despite having 82 MLAs, the BJP still needs eight additional votes to clinch the fourth seat. Even if support comes from suspended BJD MLAs Arvind Mohapatra and Sanatan Mahakud, the party would require six more votes. 

Political observers say that if the BJP fields a third candidate, the possibility of cross-voting and allegations of horse-trading cannot be ruled out, making the fourth Rajya Sabha seat a high-stakes political contest.