BJD divided over ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill!

Due to a lack of clarity in stance, the Opposition BJD in Odisha seems to be in a state of quandary. While party supremo Naveen Patnaik is keeping mum on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill, senior party leader Ranendra Pratap Swain has opposed the issue vehemently in the State Assembly. Moreover, party MP Manas Mangaraj’s social media post that he is honoured for being nominated to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the bill has confused and complicated the situation further.

As per political experts, BJD seems to be divided over the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill.

While Naveen is silent on BJD’s stance on the bill in the Parliament, senior party MLA Swain, who often backs Patnaik’s decision, has expressed his resentment over the party’s unclear stance on it.

According to Swain, the party should be clear on its stance to put up a fight in Delhi. However, the question is why it is not happening? Why Naveen is having issues with clarity on the party’s stance?

“Ask other BJD members about their opinions. As a private member, I have the right to raise it. It is my private opinion and I will oppose the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill. It will decimate the federal structure of the country and the regional parties,” said Swain.

Earlier, Swain had opposed the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill in the State Assembly and posted his speech in this regard on his social media account. However, it seems party MPs are not agreeing with Swain’s view on the bill. It is evident from the social media post of party MP Manas Mangaraj.

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“Honoured to be nominated to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on One Nation One Election. I will continue to work in the interest of my State and its people and ensure that opinion of my State is strongly represented on the JPC,” wrote Mangaraj on social media account X (earlier known as Twitter).

Meanwhile, Deputy Leader of Opposition Prasanna Acharya said that Parliament will take the decision in this regard. Amid the difference of opinions, Naveen’s mysterious silence has further confused BJD’s stance over the bill.

“After the Joint Parliamentary Committee submits its report, Parliament will take a decision on it. However, when we are talking about the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill, the unfortunate incidents happening on the premises of the Parliament are not acceptable,” said Acharya.

In response, the ruling BJP said that the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill is in favour of the country. 

“All the political parties should support the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill as it is in favour of the country. The Opposition party in Odisha should have a uniform decision on it. It’s not a good sign that there are two opinions about the issue within BJD,” said BJP vice-president Biranchi Narayan Tripathy.

There was a time when Naveen was trying to take advantage of the situation by advocating for equidistance. However, it seems as if the former Chief Minister has fallen into his own trap now.

According to political experts, BJD’s stance on the no-confidence motion earlier and now the confusion over the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill will put it into further trouble.

“Following BJD’s debacle in the 2024 General Elections, VK Pandian has gone into hiding. As a result, BJD leaders are feeling that they have got the freedom. Hence, they are giving their opinions freely,” said political analyst Rajaram Satapathy.