Argus News - Breaking News: Odisha Rajya Sabha Polls Rocked by Cross-Voting Shock as 11 MLAs Defy Party Whips

Bhubaneswar, Mar 16: The recently concluded voting for Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha have taken an unexpected turn, with reports of significant cross-voting by legislators across party lines.

According to our sources, as many as 11 MLAs defied party whips and voted against official instructions, sparking political controversy and heated debates.

From the Congress party, three legislators - Dasarathi Gamang, Sofia Firdous, and Ramesh Jena - were identified as having cross-voted. PCC president Bhakta Charan Das confirmed the breach of party discipline, stating that the MLAs openly disregarded the Congress whip during the voting process. Gamang, who had been missing for several days, surprised many by appearing at the Assembly to cast his vote. While he claimed to have voted as per party directives, reports suggest otherwise.

Also read: Cross-Voting Concerns Push Congress to Shift MLAs to Bengaluru Resort

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) faced even greater turmoil, with six of its MLAs allegedly cross-voting. Names such as Devi Ranjan Tripathy, Ramakanta Bhoi, Chakramani Kanhar, Souvic Biswal, Subasini Jena, and Naba Kishor Mallick have surfaced in connection with the incident.

Adding to the drama, two suspended BJD legislators - Sanatan Mahakud and Arvind Mohapatra - also reportedly voted against the party line.

Devi Ranjan Tripathy openly admitted to voting for Dilip Ray, citing his admiration for Biju Patnaik’s legacy. “I was inspired by Biju Babu’s ideals, so I voted accordingly,” he said. Similarly, Souvic Biswal acknowledged his decision, claiming it was an act of protest against the treatment meted out to his father, Prabhat Biswal, who was suspended from the party. “This was my way of taking revenge,” he remarked, adding that he voted for the candidate blessed by Biju Babu.

The cross-voting episode has triggered tensions between ruling and opposition parties, particularly surrounding MLA Naba Kishor Mallick, whose actions became a focal point of heated discussions. The incident has also highlighted internal rifts within both the Congress and BJD, raising questions about party discipline and loyalty.

The elections, held at the Odisha Legislative Assembly, concluded amid this political storm. While the official results are awaited with the counting of votes is underway, the spotlight remains firmly on the cross-voting controversy, which has not only embarrassed party leadership but also reshaped the narrative of Odisha’s Rajya Sabha polls.