By Arpita Bisoi
Bhubaneswar : Strength of BJD in post poll defeat would be tested in the forth coming elections for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha. Election ensured for the BJD MP Mamata Mohanta resigned two years ahead of her tenure as she fell out with the party leader.Mahanta,meanwhile, has joined BJP.
Given the numbers in the State Assembly, the ruling BJP will comfortably corner the seat. With 80 members in the 147 seat Assembly, BJP will win in first preference votes.
But the million dollar question is will BJD, the main opposition in the Assembly will contest the election? Or will it give an walkover to BJP as it did last time facilitating the smooth passage to Aswini Vhaisanav to the Upper House.
With 51 member in the Assembly BJD may not win the election but it will give a message that it is the main opposition party. With the support of 14 Congress MLAs and the lone CPM member, it would certainly give headache to the ruling party.
But contesting the election would expose the party to cross voting. Since many of the MLAs are not happy with the management of the party, the BJP would fish in muddy water.
Moreover, BJP would see cross voting from BJD side to demoralise the opposition leadership.
BJD, in fact, in a catch 22 situation. If it will contest the election there would be a risk of cross voting. If it would not then its weakness would be exposed.
September 3, 2024 will decide the fate of BJD, the party that ruled the State continously for 24 years under the leaderdhip of legendary figure Naveen Patnaik,
