Bhubaneswar, March 13 (NationPress) With escalating worries about potential horse-trading leading up to the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, the Opposition Congress party in Odisha has relocated nine of its 14 MLAs to Bengaluru, Karnataka.

On Friday, only five Congress MLAs were present in the Assembly, including CLP leader Rama Chandra Kadam, senior MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, MLA Sofia Firdous, MLA Ramesh Jena, and Dasarathi Gamango.

As per sources within the Congress, six MLAs arrived in Bengaluru late Thursday night.

Among those who landed at the Bengaluru airport were Ashok Kumar Das, C.S. Raazen Ekka, Kadraka Appalaswamy, Mangu Khilla, Nilamadhab Hikaka, Pabitra Saunta, Prafulla Chandra Pradhan, Sagar Charan Das, and Satyajeet Gomango.

This strategic move comes amid fears of potential poaching of legislators prior to the Rajya Sabha elections.

Sources within the party indicated that this relocation of MLAs serves as a precautionary measure to maintain unity in voting during this critical election.

During a media interaction, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Ramachandra Kadam confirmed the transfer of nine Congress MLAs to Bengaluru, accompanied by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Bhakta Charan Das.

Kadam accused the BJP of having a history of orchestrating defections and attempting to sway legislators to gain a political edge.

"The BJP and its double-engine government are notorious for engaging in horse-trading. This has almost become part of their political culture. To thwart any such attempts, nine of our MLAs will travel to Delhi via Bengaluru to meet with our senior leaders," Kadam stated.

He emphasized that this action was taken to safeguard the party's legislators prior to the Rajya Sabha election and alleged that Congress leaders are being contacted and pressured as the polls approach.

"Our MLAs are united in Bengaluru with PCC President Bhakta Charan Das. They are secure and together. This step was taken to ensure that no external pressure or inducement affects their decisions," the CLP leader asserted.

Kadam further mentioned that the MLAs would return to Odisha before the voting for the Rajya Sabha elections. This development occurs amidst increasing political activity in the state as parties prepare for the upcoming elections.

In response to these political developments, senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati stated that the party has moved certain legislators to Bengaluru due to concerns about horse-trading ahead of the Rajya Sabha election.

Bahinipati remarked that fears of attempts to purchase MLAs have led Congress to adopt precautionary measures.

"There is concern regarding possible attempts to buy MLAs. This apprehension is why some Congress legislators have gone to Bengaluru," he explained.

He reiterated that the party's MLAs remain united and dismissed any speculation about potential influences on legislators.

"No one can buy our MLAs. Congress legislators are not for sale, and they will firmly support the party," Bahinipati affirmed.