The picture for Odisha’s four Rajya Sabha seats has become clearer, but the contest remains intense.
The BJD has fielded two candidates — senior leader and political secretary to Naveen Patnaik, Dr Santrupt Misra, and renowned urologist Dr Datteswar Hota — effectively disrupting the BJP’s calculations. Congress has extended support to Dr. Hota, positioning him as a “common candidate” of the united opposition front.
With the Odisha Assembly’s current strength, the ruling BJP is assured of two seats based on its majority. The BJD, with its numbers (around 50 MLAs after suspensions), can comfortably secure one seat for Dr. Misra. The fourth seat has become the flashpoint, where neither BJP nor BJD has sufficient votes alone to guarantee victory without cross-party support or maneuvering.
In a significant development unprecedented in Odisha’s recent political history, the BJD has nominated the popular medical professional Dr. Datteswar Hota — former principal of SCB Medical College and the first Vice-Chancellor of Odisha University of Health Sciences — as its candidate for this contested seat. Congress, which had earlier proposed his name, has pledged full backing, citing the need for a joint opposition candidate to counter the ruling party. This alliance is expected to ensure Dr. Hota’s election.
As a result, the BJD is set to win at least one seat outright (likely Dr. Misra) and potentially the fourth through this tactical support for Dr. Hota. This outcome dashes earlier BJP boasts of clinching three seats, despite lacking the raw numbers for a third without additional backing.
All eyes are now on the BJP’s next move. The party has yet to formally announce its candidates or final strategy. If the BJP fields more than two candidates, voting will take place, triggering a full contest. However, with its current legislative strength, the BJP cannot guarantee victory for more than two nominees without defections or unexpected alliances — a scenario that appears increasingly unlikely given the BJD-Congress coordination.
Political observers note that the BJP’s earlier confidence in securing three seats now faces a reality check, and its response — whether sticking to two unopposed wins or pushing aggressively for the fourth — will define the final outcome ahead of the March 16 polls.
