Political activity intensified in Odisha over the Rajya Sabha elections as the Congress collected nomination forms on the second day of filing, Friday, while the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had taken six sets on the opening day, Friday.
Congress MLA Satyajit Gamang visited the Rajya Sabha election cell at the Odisha Assembly and collected three sets of forms. Meanwhile, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Bhakta Charan Das has rushed to Delhi to finalise the party’s strategy and hold discussions with senior central leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Das asserted that the Congress, being a national party, will definitely field candidates and make a sincere bid to win. He added that if the BJD is willing, the Congress is ready to support a joint opposition candidate. “If BJD and Congress come together, we can secure at least one seat,” he said, while waiting for BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik’s views on the matter.
Das clarified that the final decision on candidates will be taken only after consultations with the central leadership, with a possible announcement expected as early as Saturday.
It may be noted that the Congress currently has only 14 MLAs in the 147-member Odisha Assembly, with one additional MLA supported by the CPM, taking the effective strength to 15. However, a minimum of 30 votes are required to win a single Rajya Sabha seat.
