Bhubaneswar, March 13 -- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has issued strict instructions to its MLAs ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16, 2026, amid concerns over possible cross-voting.

BJD president Naveen Patnaik has written to party legislators directing them to strictly adhere to the party whip and attend a series of meetings and training sessions at Naveen Niwas in Bhubaneswar.

The directions come after the BJD chief whip issued a three-line whip on March 11, 2026, in connection with the Rajya Sabha elections, which will be held from 9 am to 4 pm.

In the letter, Patnaik emphasised the need for all party MLAs to follow the party whip without fail and attend the scheduled meetings under his chairmanship.

The communic...