BJP says "no" to Congress and BJD in Rajya Sabha polls

Though it supported Congress in nailing the BJD government in Orissa over the multi-crore mining scam, BJP would like to maintain equidistance from both the ruling party and the main Opposition in the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections likely to be held next month.

Though it supported Congress in nailing the BJD government in Orissa over the multi-crore mining scam, BJP would like to maintain equidistance from both the ruling party and the main Opposition in the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections likely to be held next month.

HT Image

"We will like to keep distance from the BJD as well as Congress," BJP state president Jual Oram told PTI while airing his views on possible united opposition candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls.

Sensing that the ruling BJD could capture all the three seats in Rajya Sabha which are falling vacant, leader of opposition from Congress, Bhupinder Singh had floated an idea of giving a united candidate at least to get one opposition member elected to the Upper House.

Though Oram said "no to BJD and the Congress", he added that the state leadership would like to consult the central BJP in this regard.

Election to three Rajya Sabha seats was required as the three sitting MPs, one each from BJD, Congress and BJP, were completing their terms on July 1.

In the 147-member Orissa assembly, the ruling BJD had 103 members followed by Congress (27), BJP (six), NCP (four), CPI (one) and six independent members.