Bhubaneswar: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das on Wednesday made it clear that the Congress will not extend support to Dilip Ray, who has entered the Rajya Sabha race as an independent candidate.
Reacting to Ray’s last-minute decision, Das said he was surprised by the move, especially after their recent conversation.
“Dilip Ray spoke to me over the phone. He is my friend. I cannot understand why he decided to become an independent candidate at the last moment. I had told him to contest either as a BJD or Congress candidate, but he gave no reply,” Das said.
According to Das, Ray had earlier indicated that he would consider contesting if the BJP made him its number one candidate. “But now he has become an independent candidate. If he asks for my support at this last moment, I will not be able to do anything. This is an ideological fight; there is no place for personal relations here,” Das asserted.
The OPCC chief expressed confidence in the victory of the joint opposition nominee, Dr Datteshwar Hota.
He stated that Dr Hota would secure 14 votes from Congress MLAs and one vote from CPI(M). “I have discussed this with Congress MLAs and requested all of them not to engage in any anti-party activity,” Das said.
He further claimed that Hota would also receive full support from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), adding that BJD president Naveen Patnaik is personally engaging with party legislators.
“The BJD MLAs who have won know very well what Naveen Babu’s contribution was to their victory. Therefore, the propaganda about possible cross-voting in BJD is misinformation,” he said.
Dismissing speculation of cross-voting or political bargaining, Das said attempts at “horse-trading” would not succeed in the present Rajya Sabha election.
“Just because Dilip Babu won in 2002 does not mean he will win now,” he remarked, adding that the political situation has significantly changed.
Calling the contest an ideological battle, Das declared, “Now Bhakta Das is the guardian of democracy. There is a need to save democracy. The victory of the common candidate Dr. Datteshwar Hota is certain.”
With political equations tightening ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, Das’ remarks indicate that the Congress is determined to maintain party discipline and ensure a consolidated opposition vote.
