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BJD walks out ahead of no-confidence motion in blow to opposition
Bhartuhari Mahtab, BJD leader in the Lok Sabha said neither the ten years of the UPA nor the four years of the NDA government benefited Odisha, and since this debate was not relevant for the state and its people, they saw little point in participating in it.
Friday’s vote in Parliament has kicked off on a dramatic note, with the Biju Janata Dal walking out of the no confidence vote.
Its leader in the Lok Sabha, Bhartuhari Mahtab, told the house that neither the ten years of the UPA nor the four years of the NDA government benefited Odisha, and since this debate was not relevant for the state and its people, they saw little point in participating in it.
The BJD’s move is a classic reflection of Naveen Patnaik’s political style. He is a ferocious, even if understated political warrior back home in the state. But he sees little point often in getting entangled into political battles in Delhi, with limited electoral resonance in the state.
The BJD move will bring smiles to the treasury benches and is a blow to the opposition.
While the government had not expected the BJD to support it, by voting against the no confidence vote, if it had merely abstained, its 19 MPs would have been counted as a part of the voting strength of the house. The walkout reduces the house strength, and thus increases the prospects of the NDA winning by an even bigger majority.
It is a setback to the opposition for the no confidence vote was a tool to get all regional parties to consolidate on a common platform against the BJP, notwithstanding their own differences. Naveen Patnaik has signalled he is not interested in any such grand alliance. He will continue to practice his own brand of politics - away from the binaries of the BJP-Non BJP divide.
Watch video | No-confidence motion: How the numbers stack up for BJP, Opposition
