Bhubaneswar, 13 March (H.S.): The Congress has shifted six of its MLAs from Odisha to Bengaluru amid concerns over possible cross-voting ahead of the upcoming biennial Rajya Sabha elections.

According to sources, the legislators —Ashok Kumar Das, Prafulla Chandra Pradhan, Pabitra Saunta, Kadraka Appala Swamy, CS Raazen Ekka, and Satyajeet Gomango — arrived in Bengaluru late Thursday night.

Sources said the MLAs, accompanied by their family members, were part of a group of 14 individuals who reached Kempegowda International Airport at around 11 pm. They were received by close associates of DK Shivakumar, who is widely regarded within the Congress as a key strategist and crisis manager.

Party insiders indicated that the move is aimed at maintaining unity among legislators and preventing any defections or cross-voting during the polling scheduled on March 16 for four Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha.

The relocation of MLAs to another state is seen as a precautionary measure often adopted by political parties during closely contested elections to ensure party discipline and safeguard votes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda