Bhubaneswar, March 7: In a bid to strengthen his campaign for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha, opposition-backed common candidate Datteswar Hota met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Saturday. The meeting was part of efforts to rally support ahead of the crucial polls.
Hota, accompanied by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das, reached out to Kharge to secure backing from the Congress party's 14 MLAs in the state. On social media, Das shared the update, stating, "Met Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) in Delhi today, along with INC-BJD’s common candidate Dr. Datteshwar Hota, to seek his guidance."
Meanwhile, BJP-backed Independent candidate Dilip Ray expressed confidence in winning the election, citing the potential support from "conscience votes."
