As the race for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha intensifies, the state Congress has raised an alarm over potential horse-trading for the fourth seat. With neither the ruling BJP nor the opposition BJD possessing the clear numbers required to secure a final victory on their own, the political manoeuvring has sparked significant debate.
The ruling BJP is set to win two seats in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, while the opposition BJD is certain to bag at least one. However, the contest for the fourth seat remains the primary flashpoint.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das, before leaving for New Delhi to consult with the party high command, emphasised the need to prevent unethical practices.
“We need to stop horse-trading in politics. There should be no horse trading anymore in the Rajya Sabha polls.” Asked to explain, Das said that the BJP is in power in the state and its leaders often claim to win three of the four Rajya Sabha seats in the elections. “The BJP people can do anything as they are in power. They can go to any extent,” he alleged.
According to the current Rajya Sabha arithmetic, the path to a win requires specific first-preference vote thresholds. Das noted that for the final seat, no single party—including the Congress—has the necessary numbers on its own. He highlighted that neither the BJP nor the BJD currently commands the 30 first-preference votes needed for that fourth spot.
The former Union Minister further said neither the BJP nor the BJD has the required 30 first-preference votes for the fourth seat.
In the 147-member Odisha Assembly, the ruling BJP holds 79 seats and has the support of three Independents, totalling 82. This leaves them eight votes short of the 90 required to elect three MPs (30 votes per candidate).
Meanwhile, the opposition BJD has 48 MLAs. After securing its first MP with 30 votes, the party is left with 18 first-preference votes, requiring an additional 12 to secure a second seat. The Congress holds 14 seats, while the CPI (M) has one.
To counter potential horse-trading, Das has proposed that the BJD and Congress unite to support an “independent candidate of eminence” who would prioritise the state’s interests.
“I am going to Delhi with five names containing possible candidates. I have also sought an appointment with BJD president Naveen Patnaik for discussion in this regard,” he said.
When asked how the BJD could support a Congress-backed choice given their policy of maintaining equal distance from both national parties – BJP and Congress, Das argued that such a move is the only viable way to maintain political integrity. He assured that the Congress MLAs remain united and that the party will reveal its choice by February 28.
“We may field an eminent person whom the BJD can support. This is the only way to stop horse trading,” he said.
Replying to another question, Das said all Congress MLAs are united, and there is no question of defection for the RS polls.
On the other hand, BJP Odisha in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar previously said that the party would maximise its RS seat count.
Meanwhile, BJD president Naveen Patnaik discussed with party MLAs on various matters, including the Rajya Sabha elections.
Some of the BJD lawmakers said that the party decided to go by Patnaik’s decision.
“Yesterday, the BJD’s political affairs committee (PAC) authorised the party president to decide on the RS polls. All MLAs will go by Patnaik’s decision,” said senior MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo.
Though the BJD has the numbers to win one RS seat, the party has purchased six sets of forms for the biennial elections, indicating that the regional party might field more than one candidate in the fray.
In a significant move, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met with BJP leader Nitin Nabin in Delhi, fuelling speculation that Nabin could be fielded as a candidate.
While the meeting was officially described as a discussion on organisational coordination and development, its timing under the current political climate has drawn intense scrutiny.
Called on Shri @NitinNabin Ji, President of the Bharatiya Janata Party @BJP4India , today and held productive discussions on strengthening organisational coordination and accelerating development initiatives in Odisha.
Reaffirmed our shared commitment to good governance,… pic.twitter.com/RshJO0NZns
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) February 27, 2026
Taking to X, Majhi said, “Called on Shri @NitinNabin Ji, President of the Bharatiya Janata Party @BJP4India, today and held productive discussions on strengthening organisational coordination and accelerating development initiatives in Odisha. Reaffirmed our shared commitment to good governance, inclusive growth, and the welfare of the people of our state.”
BJP state president Manmohan Samal said that the Parliamentary Party would finalise candidates for the March 16 polls shortly.
