India, March 17 -- The Odisha Congress on Tuesday suspended three of its MLAs for alleged cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections, a move that significantly impacted the outcome in favour of BJP-backed Independent candidate Dilip Ray.

The disciplinary committee of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) took action against Ramesh Jena (Sanakhemundi), Dasarathi Gomanga (Mohana), and Sofia Firdous (Barabati-Cuttack). The trio has been accused of defying the party whip and voting for Ray during polling held in the Odisha Assembly on Monday.

In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the OPCC said the MLAs violated both the party's directive and its ideological stance by extending support to a rival-backed candidate.

Cross-v...