Bhubaneswar, March 17 The opposition Congress in Odisha suspended three of its MLAs on Tuesday for voting in favor of the BJP-backed independent candidate, Dilip Ray, who secured victory in the Rajya Sabha elections, according to a party statement.
The suspended MLAs are Ramesh Chandra Jena of Sanakhemundi, Dasarathi Gomango of Mohana, and Sofia Firdous of Barabati-Cuttack.
They voted for Ray during the Rajya Sabha elections on Monday, according to the party.
Announcing their suspension, the state Congress posted on social media: "Those who betray Congress are betraying the nation."
State Congress media cell chairperson Arabinda Das said the decision was taken after a careful review of their actions, which were deemed detrimental to the party's interests.
He said the party would inform the speaker about their disqualification from the assembly.
State Congress president Bhakta Charan Das said, "This act of betrayal was unexpected from these MLAs. We will ensure that they are disqualified from the assembly under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution."
He said the party's national leadership has been informed of the decision.
Besides the three Congress MLAs, eight BJD MLAs had also voted in favor of Ray, leading to the defeat of the opposition's "common candidate," Datteswar Hota.
The Congress had decided to back BJD candidate Hota in a strategic understanding.
The Congress media cell chairperson said Gomango was the party's Gajapati district president twice.
"We did not expect this from him. Jena was a strong leader, but he destroyed himself. Sofia Firdous had a very bright future. She has ended her chances of winning in Cuttack. We will proceed with the disqualification process," he said.
Ahead of the polling, the Congress had moved eight of its MLAs to Karnataka to "shield them from inducements."
Elections were held for four Rajya Sabha seats in the state. The BJP won two, the BJD secured one, along with Ray's victory.
