Delhi Services Bill: All eyes on BJD’s move in Rajya Sabha

With the YSR Congress extending its support to the Narendra Modi-led central government, all eyes are now set on the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)’s next step with respect to the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition bloc INDIA and the government’s bill to replace the Delhi Services ordinance. 

The Opposition INDIA has decided to move a no-confidence motion against the central government in the Lok Sabha. And the NDA government has a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha. But it may face problems in getting its Delhi bill through the Rajya Sabha. 

In the Rajya Sabha, the total number of members is 238, with the majority mark at 120. While the NDA has 105 members, it is also confident of getting the support of five nominated and two independent members. If the number of all the members is put together, the NDA will have 112 members, still eight short of the majority mark. 

In such a situation, all eyes are now set on the BJD’s next course of action in the Rajya Sabha. It is worth mentioning that Naveen Patnaik has extended support to the Modi government on several occasions. 

“No decision has so far been taken with respect to the bills. It is true that the entire nation is looking at us. We will do what our party Supremo Naveen Patnaik will ask us to do,” said BJD MP, Munna Khan. 

BJP MP Pratap Sarangi said, “We have the majority in the Parliament and we won’t have any problem.”

At the same time, OPCC chief, Sarat Pattanayak said, “The BJP and BJD are siblings. The strategy of the BJD is that they will participate in the Parliament and then stage a walkout saying we are not satisfied with it. It will favour the BJP.”

According to political analysts, since the BJD and the BJP are arch-rivals in the state, the Conch party will extend indirect support to the saffron party in the Rajya Sabha. 

“They (the BJD) won’t support directly as they are at loggerheads with the BJP in the state. But they will extend their support indirectly,” said K Ravi, a senior journalist.