In a move reminiscent of classic “resort politics,” the Odisha unit of the Indian National Congress has shifted at least eight of its 14 MLAs to a luxury private resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru, ahead of the biennial Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16.
The relocation comes amid heightened concerns over potential cross-voting and alleged poaching attempts by rivals, particularly the BJP, in the contest for Odisha’s fourth Rajya Sabha seat.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar met the Odisha legislators at the resort — reportedly located near Bidadi/Wonderla — along with Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das. Sources indicate the meeting focused on ensuring party unity and discussing strategies to secure votes for the joint opposition-backed candidate.
Shivakumar, addressing reporters on Friday, denied personally inviting the MLAs to Bengaluru. “I have not called Odisha MLAs; they have come to Bengaluru,” he clarified. He added that the OPCC leadership had requested arrangements for their stay, as the legislators expressed interest in visiting Mysuru and other nearby areas. However, he acknowledged plans to meet them later and emphasized the pressure from the BJP’s alleged “Operation Kamala” tactics. “There is a lot of pressure on our people for Operation Kamala, and they are being given big offers,” Shivakumar stated, while highlighting the INDIA bloc’s unity in backing a common candidate alongside the BJD and Left parties.
The MLAs, including chief whip CS Raazen Ekka, arrived in Bengaluru late Thursday night via an IndiGo flight from Bhubaneswar. Party insiders confirmed that accommodations were arranged for the group, with around 20 rooms booked at the resort to include family members and personal staff. Additional MLAs joined on Friday, bringing the total to at least eight under close watch.
This precautionary measure follows a party whip issued by OPCC leadership directing all legislators to remain in Bhubaneswar until polling day. Despite the directive, several MLAs proceeded to Bengaluru, prompting speculation about internal safeguards against defections or inducements.
The Rajya Sabha contest in Odisha has intensified with the BJP fielding hotelier and former Union minister Dilip Ray as an independent candidate, challenging the BJD-Congress-Left alliance’s nominee. With no single party holding a clear majority for the seat, every vote counts, fueling fears of horse-trading.
Congress sources described the Bengaluru stay as a “safeguard” to prevent any influence attempts until voting concludes. Meanwhile, some party voices, including certain MLAs who remained in Odisha, have openly criticised the resort strategy, questioning its necessity for elected representatives.
As the March 16 polling date approaches, political temperatures continue to rise in Odisha, with all eyes on whether the Congress can maintain discipline amid the high-stakes electoral battle.
