Odisha Congress MLAs Expelled for Cross-Voting in Rajya Sabha Elections Favoring BJP

In Odisha's Rajya Sabha elections, three Congress MLAs—Sofia Firdous, Ramesh Jena, and Dasarathi Gomango—cross-voted in favor of BJP-backed candidate Dilip Ray, defying the party's alliance with BJD. Congress expelled the MLAs and sought their disqualification, citing betrayal and lack of consultation on candidate selection. Firdous, a first-time MLA and daughter of a former legislator, criticized BJD as BJP's 'B-team' and chose to support the BJP. The cross-voting disrupted the opposition's expected victory and gave BJP an advantage.