Bhubaneswar, March 18 -- The political temperature in Odisha rose sharply on Wednesday after Congress MLA Ramesh Chandra Jena made explosive remarks over cross-voting, claiming it was an act of "revenge" against the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Speaking at a press conference, the Sanakhemundi legislator alleged that he and his family, including his 85-year-old father, were harassed for years. He said his conscience did not allow him to support a BJD-backed candidate, asserting that true Congress workers would not forget such experiences.

Jena also took an indirect dig at Odisha PCC President Bhakta Charan Das, raising questions over internal party functioning and voting transparency. He further said that two additional Congress votes went in ...