Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik was elected chairperson of the BJD parliamentary party on Friday.
In a meeting at his residence with the party’s nine Rajya Sabha MPs, Patnaik was elected unanimously, MP Sasmit Patra said.
Party’s the Rajya Sabha members will raise Odisha’s issues in Parliament as there is no party MPs in Lok Sabha. Strategies were discussed for the upcoming budget session beginning July 22.
BJD president Patnaik directed MPs to act as a strong opposition and counter the BJP-led Centre on matters concerning Odisha. He also urged them to demand special category status for the state.
Sulata Deo, MP (Rajya Sabha) from Biju Janata Dal (BJD), announced that the party will vigorously raise several critical issues in Parliament, including slow progress of national highway and railway projects, inadequate bank branches, delay in revisions of coal royalty, more Kendriya Vidyalayas and Ekalavya Schools
Moreover, BJD will push for immediate implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament and assemblies
The party is committed to addressing these pressing concerns and ensuring the welfare of the people of Odisha.
