Naveen signals shift, tells party to work as strong opposition force

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has said that it will support the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, confirming that there’s going to be no more support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is now the ruling party in Odisha as well. The BJD has said that it will be a “strong voice” for Odisha in Parliament and raise issues of the state.

Former chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik, who is now the Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly, said that his party, which earlier supported the BJP on several issues in Rajya Sabha, will now represent a “strong and vibrant opposition” in the state and also support the Opposition in Parliament.

“We will make the centre accountable on all issues. BJD MPs will raise all issues pertaining to the state’s development and the welfare of the people of Odisha. Many rightful demands haven’t been met. (We will) be the voice of 4.5 crore people of Odisha in Parliament,” Patnaik said after a meeting with BJD’s nine Rajya Sabha MPs in Bhubaneswar on Monday.