Odisha Rajya Sabha Polls: Horse Trading Allegations Rock High-Stakes Election

• Odisha witnesses Rajya Sabha polls after 12 years, with 5 candidates vying for 4 seats amidst cross-voting fears.
• The election is a prestige battle between BJD and BJP, marked by BJD's allegations of "horse trading" against the ruling BJP.
• Neither major party has enough votes for an additional seat independently, leading to a BJD-Congress-CPI(M) alliance for common candidate Dr Datteswar Hota.
• Congress shifted 8 MLAs to Karnataka after allegations of Independent candidate Dilip Ray's agents offering Rs 5 crore; 4 arrested.
• BJD and Congress leaders claim their MLAs are united for Dr Hota, while BJP rejects horse trading allegations.