Cong,BJP back same nominee,issue whips

The BJD has re-nominated party strategist Pyarimohan Mohapatra and fielded former legislator Sashi Bhusan Behera and its general secretary Baishnab Parida for the second and third seats.Though the verdict of two RS seats are a foregone conclusion due to the BJDs strength of 103 in the 147-member Assembly,the fight for the third seat is expected to go to the wire. The NCP with four seats,the lone CPI member and two Independent legislators have pledged their support for the BJD. But the BJD is still falling short of one MLA.

Patnaik is a formidable candidate with the support of BJP and Congress. BJP spokesman Ashok Sahu said the partys support with six members to Patnaik was aimed at defeating the BJD. Its our anger against Naveen that has driven us towards issuing whip, said Sahu.

The Congress has already issued whips to all its 27 members to vote for Patnaik. With four Independent MLAs declaring the support for him,Patnaik has the required 37 votes.

However,all arithmetic for the third seat is likely to go for a toss with both BJP and Congress alleging that two of their MLAs are untraceable. While BJPs Sahu said party MLA from Bonei in Sundargarh,Bhimsen Chouhdury,is untraceable for the past 48 hours,Harichandan said Congress MLA from Lanjigarh in Kalahandi,Shivaji Majhi,could not be traced. Both Opposition parties alleged that the BJD is resorting to unfair means and has abducted the two.