With the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16, the Indian National Congress has taken precautionary steps to safeguard its legislators from possible cross-voting.

In a strategic move, the party has relocated its MLAs from Odisha to Bengaluru while Haryana legislators have been shifted to a secret location, reportedly in Himachal Pradesh, ahead of the crucial polling.

Party insiders say the decisions were taken to maintain unity within the legislative ranks and ensure that all votes go to the party’s candidates during the upcoming elections.

Odisha MLAs Moved to Bengaluru

According to party sources, around eight MLAs from Odisha belonging to the Indian National Congress were flown from Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru late Thursday night.

The legislators have been accommodated at a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where they will remain until the Rajya Sabha polling process is completed.

Sources also indicated that six additional MLAs, along with the Odisha state Congress president, were expected to arrive later.

The relocation is being seen as a defensive strategy after the Bharatiya Janata Party fielded a second candidate, intensifying political competition for the Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha.

Concerns Over Cross-Voting

Cross-voting has historically played a significant role in Rajya Sabha elections, particularly when party numbers in state assemblies are tight.

Currently, the Indian National Congress has 14 MLAs in the Odisha Assembly, and party leaders fear that without precautionary steps, some legislators might face pressure or political bargaining attempts from rival parties.

By moving the MLAs to another state, the party leadership aims to keep its legislators together and ensure disciplined voting.

Role of Karnataka Congress Leadership

The logistics for hosting the Odisha MLAs in Bengaluru were reportedly coordinated by senior leaders from the Indian National Congress unit in Karnataka.

Among those overseeing arrangements was D. K. Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and the state Congress president.

His involvement reflects the party’s centralised effort to ensure smooth coordination between state units during the election process.

Haryana MLAs Shifted to Secret Location

A similar strategy has been adopted in Haryana, where Congress MLAs have reportedly been moved to a secret location outside the state ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections.

Sources indicated that the legislators are likely staying in Himachal Pradesh, which is currently governed by the Indian National Congress.

The MLAs are expected to return shortly before voting begins on March 16.

Meeting at Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s Residence

Before leaving the state, the Congress legislators gathered for a meeting at the residence of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the leader of the Congress Legislative Party in Haryana.

The meeting was attended by several senior leaders including:

• Rao Narender Singh, Haryana Congress president

• B. K. Hariprasad, Congress general secretary

Following the meeting, the MLAs departed in two tempo travellers for their undisclosed location.

However, at least five MLAs — including Kuldeep Vats — did not join the relocation due to personal commitments.

Meanwhile, Bhupinder Singh Hooda himself will remain in Haryana during this period.

Congress Strength in Haryana Assembly

The **Indian National Congress currently holds 37 seats in the Haryana Assembly, which theoretically provides sufficient numbers to support its Rajya Sabha candidate.

Despite this numerical advantage, the party leadership remains cautious due to the possibility of cross-voting, a factor that has influenced outcomes in previous Rajya Sabha elections.

By moving MLAs to a secure location, the party hopes to avoid last-minute political manoeuvring by rival parties.

Political Significance of the Moves

Relocating MLAs before crucial votes is not uncommon in Indian politics, particularly when stakes are high in Rajya Sabha elections.

Political parties often adopt such strategies to:

• Prevent cross-voting

• Maintain party discipline

• Shield legislators from rival party influence

The Congress’s decision to shift MLAs from both Odisha and Haryana highlights the intense political contest surrounding the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Conclusion

As the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16 approach, the Indian National Congress is leaving little to chance.

By relocating Odisha MLAs to Bengaluru and moving Haryana legislators to a secret location, the party aims to secure its candidates’ prospects and prevent cross-voting in what is shaping up to be a closely watched political contest.

The coming days will reveal whether these precautionary measures help the party maintain unity and achieve its electoral objectives in the Rajya Sabha polls.

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