Bhubaneswar, March 3 (NationPress) BJP MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi expressed strong optimism on Tuesday regarding the BJP's prospects in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha, predicting that the party will clinch the highest number of seats.

Sethi highlighted that numerous MLAs from both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Indian National Congress (Congress) are likely to back the BJP candidate for the greater good of the state.

The BJP representative pointed out that existing discontent within the Congress and BJD could potentially sway the voting dynamics. He noted that some lawmakers from these opposition parties are dissatisfied with their leadership and might opt to cross-vote in the Rajya Sabha elections.

“We have garnered the backing of 82 MLAs, and we are confident that two of our candidates will secure their positions in the Rajya Sabha. The race for the third and fourth seats is more competitive. The BJD has already suspended two of its MLAs, while two others were missing from the recent Congress Legislature Party meeting,” Sethi remarked.

Sethi reiterated the BJP's optimistic position, stating they possess the necessary numbers to win with a significant margin.

“The BJP is in active communication with MLAs from both BJD and Congress. For the advancement and stability of Odisha, many of these representatives are expected to support our candidate,” Sethi added.

He also mentioned that should additional support be essential, the party remains hopeful about receiving assistance from lawmakers across different parties. The Rajya Sabha election in Odisha has sparked considerable political engagement, with various parties vying for strategic alliances to bolster their support. The final results will hinge on the voting dynamics and possible cross-party support.

Notably, after a high-level meeting of ruling party MLAs earlier this week, a senior BJP leader informed the public that the party would be contesting three Rajya Sabha seats.

In a related development, a significant meeting of the Congress Legislature Party was held on the same day at a hotel near Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar to devise the party's strategy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha.

Moreover, Dr. Datteswar Hota, the common candidate supported by the BJD for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat, also participated in the meeting to seek support from Congress legislators. BJD President Naveen Patnaik had previously announced senior party leader Santrupt Misra and urologist Datteswar Hota as the candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections.