BJD Withdraws Support from BJP in Rajya Sabha Amid Determination to Advocate Odisha’s Interests

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, has announced the withdrawal of support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Rajya Sabha. The decision comes as the BJD expresses a strong determination to advocate for the interests of Odisha in the upcoming parliamentary sessions. Patnaik, president of the BJD, held a meeting with the party’s nine Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday to strategize their role as a dynamic opposition force in the Upper House of Parliament.

During the meeting, Sasmit Patra, the BJD’s leader in the Rajya Sabha, revealed that the party MPs will go beyond verbal discussions to actively protest if the BJP-led central government overlooks Odisha’s concerns. The primary focus of the BJD MPs will be on issues such as demanding special status for Odisha, improving mobile connectivity, and increasing the density of bank branches across the state.

Key among the demands is the revision of coal royalty for Odisha, a demand that has been unaddressed by the Centre for over a decade despite its significant impact on the state’s populace. The BJD MPs are prepared to assert themselves as a firm opposition group, with Patnaik’s directive to champion the rights of Odisha’s residents in parliamentary discussions.

Following the loss of BJD in the Lok Sabha elections and the end of its 24-year government rule in the state, the party has shifted its stance from offering issue-based support to the BJP to becoming a dedicated opposition voice. This transition marks a notable departure from the alliance dynamics observed in previous years.

The historic alliance between BJD and BJP, which saw BJD extend support on various legislative matters, was severed earlier this year. Recognizing the altered political landscape post-election, BJD is now committed to representing Odisha’s interests unmistakably and with unwavering fervor.