‘Disciplined’ BJD for smooth RS work

Bhubaneswar: The BJD will continue standing for smooth running of Rajya Sabha striving for debate on nation building and furthering Odisha’s interest, the regional party’s floor leader Sasmit Patra told vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar in New Delhi on Tuesday.
“The BJD has always been a disciplined party in the Parliament as per the directions of BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik. We are always for smooth functioning of the Parliament. Our thrust would be on debates and discussions for Odisha’s interest and nation-building,” Sasmit said.
Sasmit said the Vice-President spoke of his high regards and appreciation for chief minister Naveen Patnaik and expressed his happiness about the conduct of BJD parliamentary party in the Rajya Sabha. As part of Dhankhar’s meeting with parliamentary party leaders in RS of various political parties, Sasmit met the V-P, who presides over upper house. The BJD RS leader, who is also in the panel of RS deputy chairpersons, presented the book, ‘The Tall Man’, on the life and works of Biju Patnaik to Dhankar.
BJD insiders feel the regional party’s non-disruptive approach, reflects party president Naveen’s positive attitude and stands out amid frequent disruptions of proceedings by many other parties. In the last session of Parliament, then Vice-President Venkaih Naidu had said 57% of total proceedings of RS were disrupted partly or fully in the last 13 sessions.
After JU’s exit from NDA, the regional party’s support is perceived to be important for the Modi regime to pass various Bills. Though not part of NDA, BJD has been continually supporting the Modi government on most of the Bills, especially since 2019 when Modi returned to power for a second term. The regional party has nine members in the upper house.
This time, there is speculation that BJP may offer and BJD may accept RS deputy chairperson’s post as Harivansh Narayan Singh may quit the post when Parliament reconvenes for the winter session towards end-November.