Naveen Patnaik Calls BJD MLAs for Rajya Sabha Training
Bhubaneswar: BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik has instructed party MLAs to participate in a series of training sessions at Naveen Niwas from March 13 to 15, aimed at ensuring discipline and preventing cross‑voting in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
The sessions will cover poll procedures and voting guidelines, with presentations scheduled on March 13 and 14 between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm. On March 16, the BJD Legislature Party will convene, followed by mandatory attendance at the Assembly meeting.
The move comes amid heightened political manoeuvring.
Congress has shifted its MLAs to Bengaluru under the supervision of Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, housing them at Wonderla Resort in Bidadi.
With the Odisha Assembly comprising 79 BJP members, 50 from BJD, and 14 from Congress, the fourth Rajya Sabha seat is expected to be closely contested.
BJD has nominated Santanu Mishra and Datteshwar Hota, while BJP has fielded two candidates and extended support to Independent Dilip Ray.
The outcome may hinge on Congress’s votes, making the training sessions crucial for the ruling party’s strategy.
