CPI(M) Dashes Congress’ Hope To Contest Rajya Sabha Polls In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Congress can no longer field candidates in the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections for four seats in Odisha on March 26.

The reason: The CPI(M) with a lone MLA, Laxman Munda, in the State Assembly has decided not to participate the elections.

The Left party took the decision at its State Council Meeting presided over by its member Jagannath Mishra on Monday.

Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra had earlier said that the party could field a candidate with help of the CPI(M).

As per the provision, 10 proposers should sign in the nomination paper of any candidate. And the Congress, which has only nine MLAs in the 147-member House, is now one short of the mark.

While the ruling BJD with113 MLAs can register an easy victory in three of the four vacant seats, the BJP has already announced to field candidate for polls though it has only 23 MLAs in the Assembly.

To ensure the victory, a candidate needs the first preference votes of at least 29 MLAs.