Polling for 11 crucial Rajya Sabha seats wrapped up Monday in Haryana, Bihar, and Odisha amid high drama from cross-voting and absences. With counting underway by evening, these Rajya Sabha polls 2026 could shift the Upper House balance, especially as 26 seats were already won unopposed, split evenly between NDA and opposition. The events highlight ongoing political maneuvering in India today.
Odisha Drama: Scuffle and Cross-Voting Shocks
Tension boiled over in Odisha's assembly during Rajya Sabha polls 2026 voting. A scuffle broke out between BJP and BJD MLAs, capturing national attention. Three Congress MLAs—Dasarathi Gomango, Sofia Firdous, and Ramesh Jena—cross-voted, while BJD's Subashish Biswal and Chakramani Kanhar were rumored to follow suit.news18+1
Five candidates vied for four seats in the 147-member assembly, needing about 30 votes each. BJP fielded Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar; BJD put up two, with Subhasish Khuntia seen as a sure winner. BJP backed Independent Dilip Ray for the fourth, but Congress (14 MLAs) and CPI(M) support could tip scales. Former CM Naveen Patnaik alleged horse-trading by BJP.
This matters now as tight numbers make cross-voting a game-changer, testing alliances ahead of state polls.
Bihar Tangle: MLAs Vanish, NDA Eyes Sweep
In Bihar's 243-member house, six candidates contested five seats requiring 41 votes each. NDA's 202 MLAs eyed all five, comfortably bagging four (164 votes) and chasing the fifth with leftovers plus extras. But drama struck: three Congress MLAs and one RJD legislator skipped, phones off, fueling cross-vote fears.
Mahagathbandhan's 35 MLAs needed boosts from AIMIM/BSP but faltered. Leaders like Chirag Paswan slammed opposition; Tejashwi Yadav admitted shortfall. CM Nitish Kumar voted as a candidate. NDA confidently predicted full sweep.
Haryana Hustle: Abstentions and Close Calls
Haryana's 90 MLAs voted for two of three seats, needing 31 each. BJP's 48 backed Sanjay Bhatia (sure win), then supported Independent Satish Nandal with 17 votes plus independents/INLD—but INLD's two abstained per Abhay Chautala.
Congress's 37 aimed for Karamveer Buddh but watched warily after past cross-votes (2016, 2022 losses). MLAs returned from Himachal post-9am start; CM Nayab Saini voted early. Bhupinder Hooda rallied troops.
What's at Stake
These Rajya Sabha polls 2026 could net NDA 8 gains overall, strengthening BJP's Upper House hold amid state election buzz. Cross-voting exposes alliance fragility; results tonight will reveal if drama delivered wins.
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