BJD to reveal stand on no-confidence motion in Parliament tomorrow

The BJD Parliamentary Party discussed the no-confidence motion in New Delhi on Thursday but could not decide on the party’s stand.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the fifth largest party in the Lok Sabha with 19 MPs on Thursday left the decision on the party’s stand on the opposition’s no-confidence motion to its president and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, a senior party leader said.

BJD president Naveen Patnaik has already issued a whip asking all the 19 party MPs in Lok Sabha to remain present during the debate in Parliament. (PTI File Photo)

The party will reveal its stand on the no-confidence motion against the NDA-led Centre on the floor of the Parliament on Friday, the party leader said.

The BJD Parliamentary Party (BJDPP) discussed the issue in New Delhi on Thursday but could not decide on the party’s stand. The meeting was presided over by its leader Bhartruhari Mahtab, senior MP Prasanna Patsani said here.

“Whatever decision he (Patnaik) takes on this issue, it will be carried out during the debate in Parliament tomorrow,” Patsani said.

The Opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion has been moved for the first time since the BJP-led NDA came to power four years ago.

Explained: What is the no confidence motion and why has it been raised?

BJD members who did not wish to be named said although the party’s MPs would participate in the debate in Parliament and highlight the state’s issues they may abstain during voting.

BJD will get the opportunity to raise its core issues like Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh, the controversial Polavaram projects and its long-standing demand for special category status during the discussion, they said.

BJD president Naveen Patnaik has already issued a whip asking all the 19 party MPs in Lok Sabha to remain present during the debate in Parliament.

The number of MPs of the party was reduced from 20 to 19 on Thursday after Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted BJD MP Baijayant Panda’s resignation.

Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra of the Congress said, “BJD supports NDA at the time of need. The equidistant policy that the BJD speaks of is not always true”.