Bhubaneswar: While speculations over an understanding between the BJD and BJP are rife, the regional party today dismissed all such claims and said that political parties should focus on development of the State.
Responding to a statement made by senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra that BJD and BJP are brothers in arms, BJD leader Sashi Bhushan Behera said that they have made no pact with the saffron party.
“Narasingha Mishra is well versed of the constitution, politicizing the constitutional methodology is not good. A government cannot function without an opposition party, therefore the allegation is baseless,” said Behera.
Even BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan refuting the allegation said, “In a republic there is need of an agreement on certain things. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to nominate Ashwini Baishnab to Rajya Sabha is an example of good republican practice.”
He further asserted that even the Odisha CM has mentioned about the Prime Minister and BJP National President requesting him to support Ashwini, so there is nothing secret about it.
In view of BJD’s support to BJP’s Rajya Sabha candidate Ashwini, Congress leader Narasingha had today mentioned about the speculations stating BJD and BJP are brothers. Therefore a decision has to be taken over the actual opposition party in the assembly, he added.
However, Narasingha said his party is going to raise topics over status of FANI restoration including lack of drinking water and power supply in many villages in the Odisha assembly. Besides, the damages caused by recent thundersquall, unemployment, etc. will also major issues put forth by the Congress.