BJD’s stance on ‘no-confidence motion’ against Rajya Sabha Chairman baffles political experts

BJP has been bolstered following BJD MP Niranjan Bishi’s indication on Sunday that their party will maintain equidistance from the NDA and INDI blocs.

However, a question has been raised on why the Opposition BJD in Odisha is indirectly supporting the ruling BJP in the centre despite the change in the government in the State. 

Is BJD supporting the BJP in the centre due to fear, allegiance or any other purpose? When BJD’s voice is getting weaker in Delhi, why BJD is opposing the ‘no-confidence motion’ against Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar?

A day before, BJD leader Niranjan Bishi indicated that BJD would not support the motion of no-confidence, as there have been no instances of misconduct.

Bishi informed that BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik has not directed them to support the no-confidence motion against Dhankhar. It is evident from the fact that BJD will once again go against the INDI alliance. BJD is also saying that their fight is on for the interest of the State and there is no question of fearing the BJP.

“We have not felt that he (Dhankhar) has done any kind of misconduct which is beyond the norms of the Constitution. Hence, we are with the Rajya Sabha Chairman,” said Bishi.

“We are currently maintaining equidistance from the NDA and INDI blocs. Our Rajya Sabha members are presenting their demands for the interest of Odisha based on logical facts and figures. There is no question of fear,” said BJD leader Dhruba Sahoo.

Meanwhile, the BJP has welcomed the kind of stance taken by BJD over the matter.

“The BJD has earlier extended issue-based support to the BJP and there is nothing wrong with it. We will welcome BJD’s stance. The no-confidence motion has been unnecessarily brought and we will always welcome progressive elements,” said BJP MP Rudra Pani.

Notably, Naveen had a clout in national politics during BJD’s 24-year governance in Odisha. He had the capability to deliberate with many national-level leaders at Naveen Niwas in Bhubaneswar. 

Read Also: BJD denies signing ‘no-confidence motion’ against Rajya Sabha chairman

Moreover, Naveen was always playing a pivotal role in national politics by advocating his party’s equidistance stance. However, BJD gradually became more inclined towards BJP after 2019. 

But there was a change in the equation after BJD’s debacle in the 2024 General Elections. The party started launching a direct attack on the ruling BJP over various issues like Bharatpur Police Station torture and Mission Shakti. Following the development, discussions were doing rounds in the political circle that BJD may take a tough stance against BJP henceforth. However, Naveen baffled one and all once again with his stance on the no-confidence motion issue.

“It is doubtful that there might have been some understanding between the BJD and BJP. BJD should have taken an aggressive stance over the no-confidence motion issue. However, it seems that BJD is inclined towards BJP for some reason as BJD’s stance will go in favour of the NDA,” said political analyst Sandeep Mishra.