BJP MLAs want to exit alliance

There are signs of disquiet within the BJD-BJP alliance as some legislators from the saffron party favour dissociating from the coalition and extending support from outside. Soumyajit Pattnaik reports.

There are signs of disquiet within the BJD-BJP alliance as some legislators from the saffron party favour dissociating from the coalition and extending support from outside.

HT Image

One BJP MLA, Brundaban Majhi, has already stepped forward to execute the dissociation plan by tendering his resignation to state party president Suresh Pujari. Legally, a MLA can quit by submitting his resignation to the Speaker, not to the party chief.

Majhi told HT: “I have addressed my letter to the Speaker, but handed it over to our party president. Since the government has failed to provide security to Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, I think the BJP should dissociate from the government and extend only outside support. Despite the threat issued to the Swami, the police did nothing to provide security. We cannot be part of the same government which failed to protect the life of a revered religious leader.”

Majhi added: “At least three BJP ministers — Samir Dey, Surama Padhi, Golak Nayak — and some legislators like Kerendra Majhi, Mahesh Sahu, Gourahari Naik and Droupadi Murmu are contemplating similar moves.”

Till 9pm on Wednesday, the BJP MLAs were holding a meeting at the party headquarters to decide their course of action.