Two Held For Attempting To Poach Odisha Congress MLAs At Bengaluru Resort Ahead Of RS Polls

Last Updated:March 15, 2026, 13:10 IST

Congress alleged that Rs five crore was offered to each MLAs to cross vote in favour of BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls.

Two people were detained at a resort near Bengaluru after they allegedly tried to lure Congress MLAs from Odisha who were staying there ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. The incident was reported by Karnataka Congress sources.

The incident took place at the Wonderla resort near Bidadi, where eight Odisha Congress legislators are staying amid concerns about possible poaching attempts before the Rajya Sabha polls.

According to party sources, the two men, reportedly from Odisha, entered the resort and tried to negotiate with one of the MLAs by offering a blank cheque.

“Rs five crore was offered to each MLAs to cross vote in favour of BJP", claimed an Odisha Cong MLA. 

“Four unknown people met a few of our MLAs and tried to bribe by offering Rs 5 crore each for cross voting in favour of BJP. When our MLAs rejected their offer they threatened to kill us if we go back to Odisha," Ashok Kumar Das, Deputy leader of Congress Legislature Party said in his complaint to Bidadi Police.

Four people accused by Congress are Birendra Prasad, Suresh, Ajit Kumar Sahu and Simachal Mahakud.

Blank cheque recovered

Congress sources said a blank cheque signed by Birendra Prasad, who holds an account with the State Bank of India in Rourkela, Odisha, was recovered from the accused.

One of the detained individuals has been identified as Suresh. Both suspects were later handed over to the Bidadi police for further investigation. More details are awaited.

MLAs shifted ahead of Rajya Sabha elections

The development comes as political tensions rise ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections from Odisha scheduled for March 16.

With fears of cross-voting and inducement attempts, the Congress moved eight of its MLAs to a resort in Bengaluru to keep them together. Party leaders said the legislators were shifted to Karnataka after internal discussions within the leadership to prevent rival parties from influencing them.

The MLAs are expected to return to Bhubaneswar just hours before the voting.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D K Shivakumar, who is overseeing arrangements for the MLAs’ stay, earlier said the move was taken as a precaution.

“When they said they were coming, I said they could come. They wanted a comfortable place and we arranged. I have to do what the party tells me to do. This happens in all states, it isn’t new," Shivakumar said.

He had earlier alleged that rival parties were making “big offers" to try to poach Congress MLAs ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls.

Crucial numbers in Odisha Assembly

In the 147-member Odisha Assembly, the Congress has 14 MLAs and has joined hands with the BJD to support a common candidate for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat.

Police are now investigating how the two men entered the resort and allegedly tried to approach the legislators.

News politics Two Held For Attempting To Poach Odisha Congress MLAs At Bengaluru Resort Ahead Of RS Polls

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