Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Bhakta Charan Das, along with the common BJD-Congress Rajya Sabha candidate Dr Datteshwar Hota, met All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Saturday.
During the meeting, Kharge inquired about the prevailing political situation in the state and held detailed discussions on the party’s strategy, according to reliable sources.
Although there is no legal requirement for issuing a whip in Rajya Sabha elections, the AICC is likely to issue strict directives at the party level to Odisha’s MLAs to ensure unified support. BJP’s master strategist Amit Shah’s recent visit to Odisha, where he reportedly provided a ‘guru mantra,’ is now seen as paving the way for Dillip’s victory, sparking intense discussions within party circles. As a result, Bhakta is making efforts through the AICC to apply pressure and keep the 14 Congress MLAs united.
Sources within the BJP camp indicate that some BJD and Congress MLAs are in contact with the BJP and Dillip, adding to the intrigue. To secure a win in the Rajya Sabha election, a candidate needs the support of 30 MLAs in first-preference votes. Hota claims backing from BJD’s remaining 18 MLAs, Congress’s 14, and one from CPI(M), totalling 33 supporters. On the other hand, Ray has the BJP’s 22 MLAs and is reportedly working to garner additional support from BJD and Congress ranks.
Despite being behind in numbers, Dillip’s long years of experience, internal conflicts within BJD and Congress, the ruling BJP’s influence, and particularly Amit Shah’s strategic advice are believed to be clearing the path for his victory.
With the BJP in power in the state, ensuring the party-backed candidate’s win has become a significant challenge for the opposition.
