New Delhi. After the Odisha assembly elections, a big change has been seen in the politics of the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party has given a new dimension to the political equations by breaking into the influential fort of Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Former BJD Rajya Sabha MP Mamta Mohanta resigned from the Rajya Sabha membership on Wednesday, 31 July 2024, which was approved by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. After this, Mamta Mohanta joined BJP on 1 August 2024. She had also resigned from BJD. Mamta Mohanta’s Rajya Sabha term started in 2020 and was to last till 2026. After her resignation, elections will now be held on this seat, in which according to the mathematics of the number of members in the Legislative Assembly, BJP is likely to win this seat.
Odisha has a total of 10 Rajya Sabha seats. Although BJP is in power in the state, they have only one MP in the Rajya Sabha. Looking at the current math of Rajya Sabha, the total number of members is 245, but currently there are only 225 MPs. BJP has 86 MPs, and including NDA allies, this number reaches 101, which is less than the majority figure of 113. Therefore, Odisha seats can prove to be crucial for BJP to get closer to the majority figure in Rajya Sabha. After joining BJP, Mamata Mohanta said, “I have joined BJP inspired by the ideals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to serve the people. This is my personal decision and has not been done under any conspiracy.”
Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has accepted the resignation of Ms. Mamata Mohanta, Member Parliament (Rajya Sabha) today. pic.twitter.com/TGOHCinl9L
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) July 31, 2024
This decision of Mamata Mohanta has created a stir in Odisha politics and has increased the possibility of strengthening the position of BJP in the upcoming elections. This can help BJP and NDA to get closer to the majority in the Rajya Sabha.
