A day before the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha, two Independent MLAs- Jitu Patnaik from Champua and Braja Pradhan from Talcher- today announced their support to the ruling BJD which has been backing Independent candidate Raghunath Mohapatra.
Both the Independent MLAs also announced that they would work as associate member of the ruling party headed by Naveen Patnaik. "We will work as associate members of the BJD," Jitu Patnaik told reporters after meeting the Chief Minister here at Naveen Niwas.
Earlier in the day, both Jitu Patnaik and Braja Pradhan had met the Chief Minister at his official chamber in the Assembly.
Talcher MLA Braja Pradhan, who had earlier announced to support Congress candidate and IPL chairman Ranjib Biswal, changed his mind and said: "I will vote according to my conscience. I cannot assure you that my vote will go in favour of Biswal in the Rajya Sabha elections tomorrow."
The Chief Minister welcomed both the Independent MLAs and said: "I welcome both Jitu Patnaik of Champua and Braja Kishore Pradhan of Talcher to work for the uplift of the poor in their constituencies".
Denouncing the change of mind by the two Independent MLAs, Biswal said: "I do not believe in horse trading. I am in the fray with the backing of 27 Congress MLAs."
With announcement of the support of two Independent MLAs, independent candidate master sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra's total tally increased to 22. While BJD's 18 MLAs will back Mohapatra, he has been assured votes of one CPI MLA and another Independent MLA Rajendra Sahu.
Biswal, on the other hand has backing of 27 Congress MLAs. Interestingly Independent MLA Pradhan was one of the MLAs who accompanied the Congress candidate while filing nomination papers for the 4th Rajya Sabha seat.
Another Independent MLA George Tirkey, however, was yet to open up his cards.
This apart, the BJP state leadership was yet to announce the role of its six MLAs and another Independent MLA Pratap Sarangi, who is associated with the saffron party. The BJP legislature party has left its the decision on the party's Parliamentary Board.
"We are hopeful that the Parliamentary Board will soon inform us about its decision," said BJP state president K Singhdeo, who is also an MLA.
Meanwhile, the BJD's three official candidates- Kalpataru Das, A U Singhdeo and Sarojini Hembram- are all set to have a smooth sail in the Rajya Sabha elections as the ruling party has 108 MLAs besides support of three Independent MLAs.
