The contest for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha has reached a fever pitch, turning the state’s political landscape into a hotbed of intrigue and accusations.
Independent candidate Dr Datteshwar Hota, backed by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress, and CPI(M), is locked in a direct showdown with heavyweight BJP-supported leader Dilip Ray. With speculation rife about who will clinch the seat, leaders from both sides have traded barbs over alleged horse-trading tactics.
The BJD and BJP are at loggerheads, with mutual allegations of unethical manoeuvres to sway votes. Senior BJD leader Arun Sahu lambasted the BJP, questioning how they plan to win without sufficient numbers. “The BJP is not in good shape in the state; nothing is right there. Amit Shah came without any program. In two years, nothing has been done in Odisha, and there’s discontent in their party,” Sahu said. He accused BJP leaders of preparing inducements for votes, prompting Shah’s visit to pacify his own ranks. “Their health isn’t good, and they lack the numbers. If they win despite that, is it a healthy tradition?” Sahu asked rhetorically. He asserted that the ruling party’s aspirations would fail, emphasising that BJD MLAs would stay united—they all signed during nominations—and Congress MLAs would do the same. “Without numbers, if the BJP talks of winning, they’re only speaking of undemocratic means. But they won’t succeed this time,” he added.
In a sharp rebuttal, BJP MLA Babu Singh hit back at the BJD, saying, “For the BJD, anything is possible. When they were in power, they won Rajya Sabha seats without numbers. Our supported candidate, Dilip Ray, will definitely win. Are they giving us advice? They should worry about themselves.” Singh recalled how the BJD allegedly sidelined Baishnab Parida and won without adequate support, urging Sahu to introspect.
Minister Krushna Chandra Patra echoed this confidence, stating, “The BJP will win three out of three seats. In BJD, there are Biju lovers and Naveen lovers. Biju lovers prefer Dilip Ray. The BJD is breaking apart bit by bit. We’ll know what happens when the results come.”
Congress Legislature Party leader Ramchandra Kadam, whose party supports Hota, emphasised their numerical superiority. “In terms of numbers, we’re ahead. We have the support of 33 MLAs, while the BJP has only 22. From a numerical perspective, our side is completely secure and will emerge victorious,” Kadam said. He dismissed any possibility of the BJP’s financial muscle or temptations breaking their unity. “We’re working according to our party’s principles and ideals, and our fight against the government’s failures will continue.” A final strategy for the seat will be decided in the upcoming legislature party meeting on the 9th.
As the election draws near, the allegations of backroom deals have intensified scrutiny on Odisha’s political ethics, with all eyes on whether numbers or manoeuvring will prevail.
