Argus News - Rajya Sabha Polls: Numbers Game Heats Up For Fourth Seat In Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Jan 24: With the Election Commission of India (ECI) initiating the process for Rajya Sabha elections, Odisha’s political landscape is abuzz with anticipation. While three of the four seats appear settled by Assembly arithmetic, the fourth seat has emerged as the focal point of intrigue, strategy, and speculation, political observers said on Saturday.

The tenure of sitting members Muna Khan, Niranjan Bishi, Mamata Mahant, and Sujit Kumar ends on April 2, paving the way for fresh contests. Based on current numbers, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to secure two seats, while the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is expected to retain one. The fourth seat, however, remains undecided, opening a window for political maneuvering.

With 30 first-preference votes required to win, BJP’s strength of 82 MLAs, including the support of three Independents, ensures a comfortable majority for two seats. On the other hand, the BJD has 50 MLAs including the two suspended legislators. It can claim one seat. Both parties will then be left with surplus votes—22 for BJP and 20 for BJD—making the fourth seat a battleground of alliances and tactical choices.

The Congress, with 14 MLAs, has signalled its intent to field a candidate, though its chances remain slim. CPM has one MLA in a House of 147 members. Observers suggest the fourth seat could tilt towards the BJP, either through its own nominee or an independent backed by the party. Speculation also surrounds the possibility of the BJD extending tacit support to a BJP-backed candidate to avoid direct confrontation with the saffron party’s central leadership.

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BJP state chief Manmohan Samal has expressed confidence in securing the fourth seat, while Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has underlined the party’s numerical advantage. On the other hand, BJD president Naveen Patnaik faces the challenge of balancing internal dissent with strategic candidate selection.

The outcome of the fourth seat is expected to serve as a litmus test for Odisha’s evolving political alignments, offering insights into the strategies of its key players and the shifting balance of power in the State Assembly.