Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday said that the results of the Assembly elections held in five states clearly reflect the mood of the nation.
“I congratulate the Congress, the MNF (Mizo National Front) and the north-eastern parties for their success in this election, which really showed the mood of the nation. These are predominantly agrarian states and the BJP government at the Centre has more or less ignored the recommendation of the Swaminathan Committee and also the loan problems of the farmers. The result is for all to see,” the Chief Minister told mediapersons here.
Asked about the stand of the BJD in view of the poll outcome, he said, “As I have said before, the BJD remains equi-distant from the BJP and the Congress.”
To a question that the BJD has extended issue-based support to the BJP-led NDA government, like the election of the deputy chairperson of Rajya Sabha and demonetisation, the Chief Minister said his party has supported and not supported the BJP on various issues. “My party would remain equi-distant from these two parties,” he maintained
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Replying to a question whether the outcome of the Assembly poll results in the five states will have any effect on Odisha in the forthcoming elections, he said, “This is the mood of the nation and Odisha is very much a part of the nation.”
Talking about the Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s support to BJD’s proposal to place the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Parliament, Naveen said, “As you know, the BJD has pioneered the Women’s Reservation Bill and it is a good thing that the parties will support this important bill.
Referring to the thumping victory of the Congress in Chhattisgarh, the Chief Minister hoped that his government would be able to resolve the Mahanadi issue with the new government in the neighbouring state
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Commenting on the demand of the BJD government for a hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy, he said that the BJP government has not done anything substantial on that. “Because of these actions, you see the present results in this election,” he pointed out.
To another question on whether the BJD will be part of a new political front following a meeting between the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party in New Delhi yesterday, the Chief Minister said there is no plan for a new front at the moment. “Let’s see it in future,” he quipped.
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