Pradeep Singh

Bhubaneswar: After extending support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee Om Birla’s candidature for the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has now given its nod to PM Modi's 'one nation one election' policy. While it seems a usual process in a federal structure like India, these have made many ponder over the ‘soft’ change in the 'harsh tone' of ruling-BJD towards the Centre.

What made the ruling-BJD in Odisha lend an unconditional support to the new government at the Centre? Sharing his opinion on this, senior BJP leader Damodar Rout alleged that many BJD leaders are involved in the multi-crore chit fund scam; besides, several other corruption cases are also pending against the ruling party leaders. Hence, the CM is trying to please the Modi government to avoid CBI grillings.

Further taking a jibe at the BJD, Rout said that the party (BJD) which had been preaching an 'equidistance policy' for all these years, is now welcoming every decision of the Central government with open arms.

"The BJD is now ferrying in a boat of political opportunism. For the last 18-years, Naveen had been thinking that the Centre was his enemy but in a federal structure, political parties can be equidistant but the same cannot apply to Central and State governments. He has now realised the fact and I appreciate it," said Rout.

The BJD's paradigm shift towards the Modi government is also believed to have been because of the absolute majority the BJP enjoys in Lok Sabha- 303 seats (excluding the alliance). It is believed that CM Naveen has now realised that with such a majority of BJP in the LS and the BJD itself reducing from 20 LS seats in 2014 to 12 in 2019 polls, his party will have 'no say' in any matter and it's better to fall in the line instead of swimming against the tide.

While the BJD continues to claim that it will support the Centre only in case of matter of state and nation's interest, another rumour is doing rounds that the BJD wants to grab the Deputy Speaker post and that's why it has supported NDA's Speaker candidate. However, BJD MP Pinaki Mishra has already clarified that the regional party has not got any such proposal from the BJP but it would think about in case an offer comes. Moreover, CM Naveen today (after the all-party meeting over 'one nation one election' idea) said that he had no discussion with PM Modi related to the Deputy Speaker post.

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