Polling for the biennial elections to 37 seats in the Rajya Sabha commenced on Monday, with leaders from several parties expressing confidence about the outcome.
Praveen Khandelwal said that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance will likely secure a clear majority in the Upper House.
“Based on numerical strength, the NDA will clearly secure a full majority. There is no doubt about this. Once again, the NDA will raise its flag with even greater strength in the Rajya Sabha,” he stated.
Meanwhile, leaders from the Biju Janata Dal also projected confidence regarding their candidates’ prospects.
Senior party leader Prasanna Acharya said, “All our MLAs work according to the decision taken by the party. Today also they will vote accordingly. We fully trust our MLAs.”
He added that the party has complete trust in its legislators and expects them to cast their votes accordingly. He made the remarks as reports alleged attempts to bribe Congress MLAs in Odisha.
On Sunday, the Biju Janata Dal issued a directive to suspend MLAs Sanatan Mahakud and Arvind Mohapatra. The party asked them to vote for its authorised nominee.
Chief Whip Pramila Mallik clarified the matter in separate letters. She said that although both legislators were suspended for alleged anti-party conduct, they remain constitutionally obligated to follow the party whip because they were elected on the BJD ticket.
Responding to accusations of horse-trading earlier raised by Naveen Patnaik, Acharya made a statement. He said that principles and ethical values should guide politics.
BJD MLA Sunil Kumar Mohanty said, “It is definitely a privilege for us that all the MLAs are casting their votes for our first Rajya Sabha candidate. We are anxious and looking forward to a good result for our party.”
In contrast, BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathy stated, “On the very day the Rajya Sabha notification was issued, I had said that the people of Odisha would be happy, while the Opposition members would be surprised with the result.”
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi said he is confident that BJP National President Nitin Nabin and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will win their respective contests, extending his congratulations to them in advance.
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