The internal instability within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha became evident during the recent Rajya Sabha elections, with indications of fragmentation emerging after the party’s prolonged tenure in power.
In Bhubaneswar, cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections has led to political developments in the state. The BJD issued show-cause notices to six of its legislators over their conduct during the elections, describing the act as a breach of trust and seeking clear explanations. Voting was held for four Rajya Sabha seats.
In the election, the Bharatiya Janata Party secured two seats, the BJD won one seat, and an independent candidate supported by the BJP, Dilip Ray, was elected to the remaining seat. Reports of cross-voting by some BJD legislators during the process led to discontent within the party leadership.
BJD’s response included issuing notices by Chief Whip Pramila Mallik to Chakramani Kanhar (Baliguda), Naba Kishore Mallick (Jayadev), Souvik Biswal (Choudwar-Cuttack), Subasini Jena (Basta), Ramakanta Bhoi (Tirtol), and Devi Ranjan Tripathy (Banki), directing them to respond by 5 pm on March 20. The communication stated that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation would allow the party to initiate unilateral action in accordance with its constitution and rules.
Ramakanta Bhoi, a BJD legislator from Tirtol, told a private news channel that he was forcibly taken from his residence and kept at Naveen Niwas the night before voting. He stated that he was not permitted to leave the premises throughout the night by party leaders. Bhoi said, “I had clearly stated that if I was not allowed to leave, I would not vote.”
The statement reflects internal dissatisfaction and discontent among legislators within the party, according to political observers, who said the developments highlight internal tensions within the BJD.
The Congress party suspended three of its legislators over cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections. Those suspended include Ramesh Chandra Jena from Sanakhemundi, Dasarathi Gomango from Mohana, and Sofia Firdous from Barabati-Cuttack. State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das stated that the act constituted a breach of trust and that steps would be taken under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution to seek their disqualification from the Assembly.
The cross-voting episode in the Rajya Sabha elections has been viewed as an indication of political developments in the state, with observers stating that questions are being raised regarding discipline and leadership within the BJD, while the strategies of the Congress and the BJP are also influencing the political landscape.
