BJD to reveal stand on no-confidence motion against Modi government in Parliament tomorrow

The Opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion, moved for the first time since the BJP-led dispensation came to power four years ago, would be taken up for debate in the Lok Sabha tomorrow.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (File Photo | AP)

BHUBANESWAR: The ruling BJD in Odisha will reveal its stand on the no-confidence motion against the NDA-led Centre on the floor of the Parliament tomorrow, a senior party leader said.

The Opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion, moved for the first time since the BJP-led dispensation came to power four years ago, would be taken up for debate in the Lok Sabha tomorrow.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) with 19 MPs has the fifth largest number of members in the Lower House.

The issue was discussed by the BJD Parliamentary Party (BJDPP) in New Delhi today.

The meeting was presided over by its leader Bhartruhari Mahtab, senior MP Prasanna Patsani said here.

He said since BJDPP could not decide on the party's stand on the no-confidence motion, the decision was left on the party president (Naveen Patnaik).

Whatever decision he (Patnaik) takes on this issue, it will be carried out during the debate in Parliament tomorrow, Patsani said.

Sources in the ruling party, however, said though the BJD MPs would participate in the debate and put forth the state issues in the Parliament, they may abstain during voting.

BJD will get the opportunity to raise its core issues like Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh, the controversial Polavaram projects and its long-standing demand for special category status during the discussion, they said.

All BJD MPs, including Rama Chandra Hansda, who was released on bail recently, were present at the BJDPP meeting.

BJD president Naveen Patnaik has already issued a whip asking all the 19 party MPs in Lok Sabha to remain present during the debate in Parliament.

The number of MPs of the party was reduced from 20 to 19 today after Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted BJD MP Baijayant Panda's resignation.

Though the BJD has claimed that it was maintaining equal distance from both Congress and the BJP, the party had backed Ram Nath Kovind, who was the NDA candidate during the presidential elections.

However, it had openly opposed the alliance's candidate in the election of the vice-president.

Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra of the Congress said, "BJD supports NDA at the time of need. The equidistant policy that the BJD speaks of is not always true".