By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Some media reports says, PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) is monitoring the Odisha Rajya Sabha polls specifically due to reports of cross-voting by BJP MLAs.
But investigations found, there is no credible evidence or news reports indicating that the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) is monitoring the Odisha Rajya Sabha polls specifically due to reports of cross-voting by BJP MLAs.
Odisha’s Rajya Sabha elections for four seats are scheduled for March 16, 2026. Nominations were filed with five candidates in the fray:
Two official BJP candidates (Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar).One Independent (Dilip Ray) backed by the BJP.
One from BJD Dr Santrupta Mishra, One BJD-Congress common candidate Dr Dateshwar Hota.
The BJP (with 79 MLAs + support from independents, totaling around 82 votes) is positioned to comfortably win at least two seats, the BJD (around 48 MLAs) one, and the fourth seat is a tight contest likely between the BJP-backed Independent Dilip Ray and the BJD’s candidate (Datteswar Hota, supported by Congress).
Speculation focuses heavily on potential cross-voting in the opposition (Congress and BJD) to help the BJP-backed candidate win the fourth seat, as no side has a clear majority for all seats.
BJP leaders have claimed some dissatisfaction in BJD/Congress could lead to cross-votes in their favor.
Congress held meetings to prevent cross-voting among its 14 MLAs. There are mentions of suspended BJD MLAs whose votes could be pivotal (not bound by whip).
Historical references note past cross-voting incidents (e.g., Dilip Ray’s 2002 win via cross-votes).
However, no sources mention any reports of cross-voting specifically by BJP MLAs (the ruling party with a strong majority), nor any PMO involvement or monitoring tied to that. The phrase “some saying” likely stems from social media rumors or unverified chatter. Rajya Sabha polls use an open ballot system (MLAs show votes to party agents), which reduces but doesn’t eliminate cross-voting risks—though disqualification can follow.
Concerns about cross-voting center on BJD (especially 2 suspended MLAs not bound by whip) and Congress (14 MLAs; they held meetings to prevent it, but some absences sparked doubts).
