Resort Politics' Returns as Eight-Plus Cong MLAs Camp in Karnataka Ahead
The Congress party has deployed its Odisha legislators near a resort outside Bengaluru to prevent cross-voting by the ruling BJP before March 16 Rajya Sabha elections. Coordinated primarily after Shivakumar fielded candidates for additional seats, nine MLAs were flown from Bhubaneswar on Thursday night and are expected to remain in Karnataka until Monday morning while awaiting further instructions. This strategic move follows earlier reports of eight legislators being relocated due to apprehensions that the opposition might face poaching by rival parties during this critical election cycle.
Key Points
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1Ahead of Mar 15 Rajya Sabha polls in Odisha, nine or ten opposition (Congress) legislators have been relocated by plane and car sequestered at a resort near Bengaluru.
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2The move was orchestrated primarily to prevent cross-voting between the ruling BJP party's candidates for seats held by Congress MLAs who are currently based elsewhere.
Developments
Perspectives
Congress is moving its legislators away in an attempt to keep them together and prevent poaching or cross-voting by rivals.
— [Mar 14, 05:23] Congress Trouble-Shooter Shivakumar Hosts Odisha MLAs Before Rajya Sabha Polls (News18)'Resort politics' is returning as the BJP fields a candidate for another seat and seeks to ring-fence its opponents from horse-trading.
— [Mar 13, 20:45] 'Resort Politics Returns As Odisha Congress MLAs Camp In Karnataka (Indiatoday.in)The move was coordinated by Shivakumar after the BJP fielded a candidate for one of four Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha.
— [Mar 13, 20:45] 'Resort Politics Returns As Odisha Congress MLAs Camp In Karnataka (Indiatoday.in)'The whip' was issued by the state unit chief to ensure legislators do not leave Bhubaneswar until after polling.
— [Mar 13, 20:45] Resort politics begins in odisha ahead of rs polls;8 cong mlas travel bengaluru (Deccanchronicle)The Congress summoned all its MLAs to the state capital before moving eight selected legislators away due to fears that ruling party officials might attempt poaching.
— [Mar 13, 20:45] RS polls;8 odisha congress mlas move resort near bengaluru (thehindu)Ahead of March 16 Rajya Sabha polls, Congress has sent nine Odisha MLAs to Bengaluru while BJD organized mandatory evening meetings for its legislators; both parties are backing independent candidate Datteswar Hota. In contrast, the ruling BJP in Odisha supports former Union minister Dilip Ray and expects two other candidates from within their party or independents based on a first-preference voting formula where 30 votes secure victory.
Eight Odisha-based Congress legislators were flown to Bengaluru and placed under security measures by senior party officials ahead of upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, following concerns over cross-voting triggered when the BJP fielded its second candidate. The move aims to prevent political inducements or poaching among lawmakers as their numbers remain tight for securing a seat in an assembly contest where they require external support beyond 14 members currently holding office.
Ten Odisha Congress legislators were escorted by heavy police security and lodged at a Bengaluru resort on Friday under coordination from DK Shivakumar following BJP's entry into Rajya Sabha elections. The officials plan to stay in the city until Monday before returning home, as Deputy Chief Minister claims they are being pressured or offered inducements for cross-voting regarding an INDIA alliance candidate contesting against two assured BJD seats and one Congress-Biju joint seat.
The Indian National Congress has flown nine of its 14 MLAs to a resort in Karnataka for gatekeeping ahead of the Odisha Rajya Sabha election. In contrast, rival party BJD is holding bootcamps at Naveen Patnaik's residence while BJP supports independent candidate Dilip Ray against them all