The Congress party has expelled three of its Odisha MLAs, including Sofia Firdous, for defying the party whip and voting for a BJP-backed candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. Sofia Firdous, a first-time MLA, had expressed disagreement with her party's decision to support the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate.
The BJP-led NDA secured an edge in the Rajya Sabha polls across 10 states, with many opposition MLAs voting for its candidates or those backed by it. In Odisha, the Congress MLAs' cross-voting helped the BJP win three out of four Rajya Sabha seats.
Sofia Firdous, the first female Muslim MLA in Odisha, had shown dissent with her party two days before the voting, citing the BJD's historical support for the BJP on critical issues. The Congress has taken stringent action against the three MLAs, who will face party action for their decision to defy the party whip.
