Rebel Trio Thrives Amid Silence: Cuttack Voters Stay Mum on MLA Cross-Voting

OdishaConnect — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:53:19 +0000

In a surprising turn of events following the recent Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha 2026, an unusual silence has gripped key political constituencies in Cuttack. Despite cross-voting by several MLAs in favour of Dilip Ray, there has been little to no public backlash in their respective constituencies.

No Local Outrage Despite Party Action

The most notable case is that of Congress MLA Sofia Firdous from Barabati-Cuttack, who was suspended by the Indian National Congress for defying the party line. Additionally, Cuttack Nagar Congress president Giri Bala Behera was expelled.

Interestingly, both leaders continue to face no visible protest or resistance from local party workers or the public. Behera even launched a sharp attack on state Congress president Bhakta Das, calling him a “mafia,” and accused his son Sagar Das of cross-voting—remarks that went largely uncontested.

Similar Calm in Other Constituencies

A comparable situation is unfolding in Choudwar-Cuttack and Banki constituencies. Biju Janata Dal MLAs Saubhik Biswal and Debiranjan Tripathy, who were issued show-cause notices for their actions, have also not encountered any major local opposition.

While isolated protests and effigy burnings by Congress workers were reported in other areas, the home constituencies of the accused leaders have remained largely unaffected and calm.

Opposition Sees Opportunity

Former MLA Mohammad Moquim has seized the moment to invite the three legislators to join his new political outfit. Criticizing the Congress, he stated that the party’s credibility has been severely damaged after the Rajya Sabha elections.

Moquim described Cuttack as an “intellectual hub” and suggested that Sofia Firdous had been sidelined within the party, adding that her decision to go against the party line may have been justified.

Signs of Political Realignment?

Political observers believe that this unusual silence could signal a deeper shift in the political dynamics of Cuttack. The lack of grassroots resistance may indicate weakening control of traditional party structures like the Congress and BJD.

Analysts suggest that the city could be witnessing a quiet political realignment, where voters and local leaders are re-evaluating loyalties, potentially reshaping the future political landscape of Cuttack.

The post Rebel Trio Thrives Amid Silence: Cuttack Voters Stay Mum on MLA Cross-Voting appeared first on Odisha Connect.

Operation Lotus in Cuttack: BJP Plots to Reclaim 1995 Stronghold After Rajya Sabha Cross-Voting Seismic Shift

OdishaConnect — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:15:26 +0000

The political landscape of Odisha is witnessing a massive upheaval following the Rajya Sabha election results, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly launching ‘Operation Lotus’ to capture the strategic Cuttack district. In a calculated move to dismantle the traditional fortresses of the BJD and Congress, the BJP appears to have successfully drawn three influential young legislators into its orbit, signaling a high-stakes battle for the 2029 General Elections.

The Rajya Sabha Trigger

The seeds of this transformation were sown during the recent Rajya Sabha polling. In a stunning display of cross-voting, Debi Ranjan Tripathy (BJD, Banki), Souvic Biswal (BJD, Cuttack-Choudwar), and Sofia Firdous (Congress, Barabati-Cuttack) cast their votes in favor of BJP-backed candidate Dilip Ray.

Political analysts view this not merely as a single act of defiance, but as the beginning of a long-term strategy to turn Cuttack “saffron.” Currently, out of the nine assembly seats in the district, the BJP holds only four (including two supported MLAs). However, the party’s ultimate goal is total dominance over the district.

The 2029 Roadmap: Strategic Alignments

Insiders suggest a well-defined roadmap is already in place for the next elections:

Souvic Biswal: It is rumored that Souvic will officially emerge as the BJP candidate for the Cuttack-Choudwar seat in 2029.

Sofia Firdous: There are speculations that Sofia may contest from a new political outfit led by her father, Mohammed Moquim. This party is expected to function as a “B-Team” for the BJP, aimed at splitting the traditional Congress vote bank.

The Tripathy Factor: Banki MLA Debi Ranjan Tripathy, along with his father and veteran leader Prabhat Tripathy, is likely to join the BJP fold well before 2029 to consolidate the rural Cuttack belt.

Moquim Defends Cross-Voting

While the BJP remains tight-lipped about the formal execution of ‘Operation Lotus,’ former MLA Mohammed Moquim has openly justified the cross-voting. He stated that when those in power “murder the political interests” of individual leaders, such a “punishment” (cross-voting) is inevitable. His stance further fuels rumors of his departure from the Congress ideology.

Reclaiming the 1995 Glory

From 1995 to 2009, Cuttack city was a BJP bastion, largely due to the influence of the late Sameer Dey, who served as a powerful minister in the BJD-BJP coalition. However, after the alliance broke in 2009, the BJP lost its grip on the silver city.

By weaponizing the influence of heavyweights like Prabhat Biswal and Mohammed Moquim, the BJP aims to end its 20-year drought in the region. The recent cross-voting by their children, Souvic and Sofia, is seen as a “trailer” of the political movie set to release in 2029.

The Fall of Fortresses

With Prabhat Biswal virtually saying “goodbye” to the BJD and Mohammed Moquim turning his back on the Congress, the BJP is successfully bringing three of Cuttack’s most powerful political families under its umbrella. This consolidation marks a significant shift in Odisha politics, as the BJP prepares to build a new “Gedua” (Saffron) fort on the foundations of old rivalries.

The post Operation Lotus in Cuttack: BJP Plots to Reclaim 1995 Stronghold After Rajya Sabha Cross-Voting Seismic Shift appeared first on Odisha Connect.

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