Bhubaneswar: The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD has clarified that it was not part of the INDIA bloc, despite its Rajya Sabha members joining the Opposition alliance’s protest march against the alleged arbitrary actions of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The clarification came on a day when BJD MPs were seen alongside Congress leaders, actively participating in the protest programme in New Delhi on Tuesday.
It was the first time that BJD and Congress leaders were seen sharing a public platform in a political demonstration, drawing considerable attention.
Naveen Seeking Alliance, Says BJP
The ruling BJP charged that BJD’s strength was considerably weakened and therefore Naveen was seeking a political alliance.
It alleged that the Opposition party’s long-standing claim of maintaining equidistance from both Congress and BJP had been exposed as false.
BJP spokesperson Biranchi Narayan Tripathy said, “The BJD has become a parasitic creeper in Odisha politics. In an attempt to protect its existence and seek political support, it is sometimes seen following the Cockroach Janta Party and at other times the INDI alliance,.”
Tripathy also alleged that there is evidence that BJD’s parliamentary party leader had attended meetings of the INDI alliance.
‘Joined Protest Against Gyanesh Kumar’
Rubbishing the BJP charge, BJD countered that it had participated in the protest rally only as “a responsible regional opposition party” and that it was not part of the INDIA bloc.
“Our primary demand is the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. Today, acting as a responsible regional opposition party and following the directives of our leader, Naveen Patnaik, we are participating in this protest rally. I want to state clearly that we are not part of the INDIA bloc; however, we are in the Opposition, and we are joining this protest in that capacity,” BJD Rajya Sabha member Manas Mangaraj told the media.
Later issuing a clarification, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said BJD participated in the Opposition parties’ protest march over the alleged arbitrary actions of the CEC in connection with the SIR exercise and deletion of the names of more than 13 crore voters across the country. “In Odisha too, more than 27.50 lakh voters have been disenfranchised in the name of SIR, which raises serious concerns,”
Taking a swipe at BJP, Mohanty said, “Before criticising BJD’s participation in the Opposition parties’ protest march, BJP leaders must realise that the BJD is the No. 1 party in Odisha and is committed to the welfare of 4.5 crore Odias. The BJD participated in the protest march because of the deliberate deletion of voters belonging to members of a minority community in Dhamnagar, Odisha, without the knowledge of the BLOs concerned, which raises serious questions about the SIR exercise.”
He further claimed a time when thousands of voters have been reportedly excluded from the electoral rolls in the Dhamnagar Assembly constituency alone, “the voluntary retirement application submitted by the State Chief Electoral Officer has raised further questions and concerns.”
BJD participated in the opposition parties’ protest march because of the Supreme Court’s clarification that it has not given any direction for the modification of Form 6, as has been claimed by the CEC, Mohanty said.
“As a responsible political party, BJD has maintained equal distance from both the INDIA Bloc and the NDA. However, by participating in the march, the BJD is trying to protect democratic institutions and the integrity of the electoral process,” he said.
Join INDIA Bloc: Congress
Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati welcomed Naveen’s “decision” to join the protest alongside INDIA bloc leaders in the national capital and urged former Chief Minister to formally join the Opposition alliance.
