Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik on Saturday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of bargaining to win Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha, even as the Congress shifted some of its legislators to a resort near Bengaluru amid cross-voting concerns and disagreements over its strategy. Elections to the four Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha are scheduled to be held on Monday.
Patnaik, who met the BJP legislators, said that three BJP Rajya Sabha candidates are trying their best to indulge in horse-trading, which is a crime. He asked the public to closely monitor the BJP’s moves ahead of Monday’s vote.
The BJP has fielded candidates and is supporting former Union minister Dilip Rai. The BJP-Congress union has the 35 votes needed for the fourth seat. Thirty votes are needed to win a seat.
BJD MP Byomkesh Rai accused Prime Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of encouraging horse trading. He said that Majhi summons representatives and invites them to his residence or government headquarters, and makes deals. “The Prime Minister should not be involved in horse-trading,” Rai said, warning that BJP lawmakers who vote against them will face electoral consequences.
BJP MP Jayanarayan Mishra denied the allegations. “Just as everything seems yellow to a patient with jaundice, he sees bargains everywhere. If they give us votes, we take them,” he said.
BJP leader Dibya Shankar Mishra called for protecting democracy and ensuring that no compromises take place. He urged every elected representative to vote in accordance with the constitutional provisions.
Congress Party MP Sofia Ferdous said she was never consulted about the party’s decision to support the AKP candidate. “Congressional lawmakers were not supportive of the move,” she said. She added that she was not even invited to campaign during the by-elections.
Another Congress lawmaker, Dasarathi Gamang, remained incommunicado. Congressional staffers said efforts were being made to speak to Gamang.
