By – Jawahar Mishra
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Bhubaneswar – Odisha’s political landscape has witnessed a massive upheaval as the equations between the BJD and Congress have completely crumbled following the Rajya Sabha elections. The strategic plan to elect a joint opposition candidate fell flat, leading to a significant split within both parties due to unexpected cross-voting.
Analysis: A Strategic Collapse and BJP’s Triumph
The Rajya Sabha polls on March 16, 2026, were more than just a vote for four seats; they served as a litmus test for opposition unity in Odisha. The result? A “Total Mess” for the BJD-Congress alliance and a masterstroke for the BJP.
1. The “Common Candidate” Disaster
The BJD and Congress had reached a rare consensus to back Dr. Datteswar Hota as a joint candidate to challenge the ruling party. However, this alliance existed only on paper. While BJD’s Santrupt Misra managed to secure his seat, the joint candidate faced a humiliating defeat, exposing the lack of coordination and trust between the two opposition camps.
2. Massive Cross-Voting: The Breaking Point
The biggest shock came when 11 MLAs from the opposition ignored their party whips.
BJD’s Defection: 8 MLAs, including prominent names like Souvic Biswal and Devi Ranjan Tripathy, voted for the BJP-backed independent candidate, Dilip Ray.
Congress’s Internal Rift: 3 Congress MLAs—Sofia Firdous, Ramesh Jena, and Dasharathi Gamango—also crossed over, leading to their immediate suspension from the party.
3. BJP’s “Chanakya” Strategy
Despite not having the absolute numbers to clear all seats initially, the BJP successfully orchestrated a victory for 3 candidates (Manmohan Samal, Sujit Kumar, and Dilip Ray). By exploiting the internal dissatisfaction within the BJD regarding their “unholy alliance” with Congress, the BJP effectively dismantled the opposition front.
4. Two Halves of a Broken Whole
The BJD is now practically “split in two.” One faction remains loyal to the central leadership, while the other is openly rebellious, citing ideological differences over partnering with Congress. Similarly, the Congress finds itself further weakened and isolated, struggling to keep its remaining flock together.
Reasons Behind Cross-Voting
Cuttack Chaudwar MLA Soubhik Biswal revealed that he voted for Dilip Rai. He said this move was in retaliation for his father Prabhat Biswal’s expulsion from the party. Similarly, Banki MLA Debiranjan Tripathi also voted against the party’s decision. He believes that allying with the Congress was a major mistake by the BJD.
Basta MLA Subasini Jena had promised to follow the party’s instructions before voting, but voted in favor of Dilip Rai. It is noteworthy that her husband, Ravindra Jena, recently left the BJD and joined the BJP. Furthermore, Jaydev MLA Nab Mallick, Baliguda MLA Chakramani Kanhar, and Tirtol MLA Ramakant Bhoi also voted against the party line, causing significant losses to the BJD.
Conclusion-
As the local saying goes, “Sab Golamal hain Bhai , Sab Golamala hain ” (It’s all a mess). The Rajya Sabha race has proven that the BJD and Congress are currently at loggerheads, unable to present a united front. This fragmentation has paved a golden path for the BJP to strengthen its grip on Odisha, leaving the opposition in a state of chaos and introspection.
