Bhubaneswar: Having filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha by-election from Odisha, former BJD MP Mamata Mahanta is now almost certain to win the seat as a BJP candidate. She is likely to continue to be a member of the upper house of Parliament. With its decision to send Mamata Mahanta to Rajya Sabha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to have made a significant political move. Speculations are doing the rounds that the saffron party may import more leaders from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The move presents a lucrative offer for leaders who are somewhat confused over switching over to the saffron camp.
Who After Mamata?
Ever since Mamata resigned from the BJD, there have been talks about the possibility of more leaders quitting the regional party. It is said that two to three BJD MPs are also among those who have been in contact with the BJP. By sending Mamata to Rajya Sabha once again, the BJP has thrown a very lucrative offer to other leaders. The message is clear that leaders would not lose anything if they quit their party and posts and join the BJP. There are talks that two to three MPs are likely to quit the BJD after Mamata.
More Gain In BJP
An entry into the BJP is likely to bring more benefits for BJD leaders as they will be moving from a regional outfit to a national party which is in power at the Centre. The BJP has many more offers to make and the list seems to be quite long. The BJP can provide ‘Modi Guarantee’ about good political future to those MPs who are unable to decide whether to switch over to the saffron camp. With BJP gaining strength in Odisha, leaders keen to contest in 2029 elections can also get an opportunity. Career graph is likely to gather upward movement by joining the BJP, which is in power both in Odisha and at the Centre. The saffron party is in a position to assure important position as well as ticket for elections.
Why To Be With Defeated Party?
After remaining in power for 24 years, the BJD is now become an opposition party and its base is getting weakened gradually. Despite stiff opposition to V K Pandian within the party and outside, he is stated to be still influencing decisions in BJD. Many feel that the future of the BJD appears to be uncertain. The party, which is now in opposition in the state, has no representation in Lok Sabha. It has eight members in Rajya Sabha. Therefore, some BJD MPs may prefer to join hands with the BJP instead of remaining in opposition.
Rajya Sabha Number
The BJP-led NDA, which has formed government at the Centre with a majority in Lok Sabha, lacks number in Rajya Sabha. While there are 225 members in Rajya Sabha at present, the support of 113 members is required for majority. While BJP has 86 members, NDA alliance partners have 101. The number goes up to 109 with the support of other independent and other MPs. The support of four more MPs is needed for a majority. Mamata Mahanta is almost certain to win from Odisha and the BJP is reported to be trying to get three more. It is said that efforts are on to strike a deal with two to three leaders of BJD. By sending Mamata to Rajya Sabha once again, the BJP seemed to have opened the channel for negotiations to attract leaders into the party.
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