Rajya Sabha candidature of incumbent Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw by BJP, backed by Odisha’s ruling BJD, has irked the Congress leaders who have alleged an unholy nexus between both the parties and highlighted that the charade of equidistant façade is now over.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Sarat Patnaik stated, The unholy nexus between BJD & BJP stands exposed as BJD supports BJP’s Rajya Sabha candidate. Odisha deserves better than this backroom deal. Congress is the only true alternative committed to the state’s progress and people’s welfare.
ODISHA BETRAYED! BJD backing of BJP Rajya Sabha candidate lays bare their secret pact. It’s time for Odisha to reject this connivance and embrace the real voice of change – Congress. Let’s put an end to this political opportunism and usher in genuine development, the OPCC Chief added.
Former OPCC President, Niranjan Patnaik also expressed his displeasure, Time’s up for BJD’s ‘equidistant’ facade! The charade is over; BJD is BJP. A BJP MP is also a BJD MP, the truth is crystal clear. Odisha deserves truthful representation, not a deceptive political game!
AICC Incharge for Odisha, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, Dr. Ajoy Kumar, stated, BJP-BJD bonhomie! The ‘Tactical Larger plan’ of the two erstwhile ‘married alliance’ is on the move! ‘BJD always backed BJP’ Now the Odias understand why CBI- ED never conducted a raid on the CM and his close aide Mr Pandian even though the state witnessed ‘Massive Scams’.
This morning, BJP named Ashwini Vaishnaw’s candidature for Rajya Sabha from Odisha, and minutes after CM Naveen Patnaik extended support. BJD has the required strength to win all 3 Odisha seats but Odisha CM decided to support the candidature of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the larger interest of State’s Railways and Telecom Development in the ensuing Election to Rajya Sabha – 2024. Vaishnaw will go to Rajya Sabha from Odisha for the second consecutive time uncontested.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, upon arriving in Odisha for a two-day visit, expressed his gratitude and said, I am a disciplined worker of the BJP. I want to express my gratitude and thank the party leadership and PM Modi for giving me an opportunity to serve once again.
Rajya Sabha MP and BJD’s National Spokesperson Manas Ranjan Mangaraj defended the decision, stating, There is no compromise with Odisha’s interest. Development must continue in a federal structure with cooperative federalism. This is the reason why Hon’ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decided to extend support to Hon’ble Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for Rajya Sabha in the larger interest of State’s Railways and Telecom Development.
The Congress party, however, remains unconvinced and continues to denounce the alliance between BJD and BJP. The party sees this move as a betrayal of the people of Odisha and a clear indication that BJD has abandoned its previous claims of being equidistant from both BJP and Congress.
The political landscape in Odisha is witnessing a significant shift as this alliance between BJD and BJP comes to light. The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in 2024 will undoubtedly be a crucial battleground for these parties as they vie for power and influence in the state.
The Congress party, on the other hand, is positioning itself as the true alternative for the people of Odisha, promising genuine development and progress. As the political drama unfolds, it remains to be seen how the voters of Odisha will react to this unholy nexus between BJD and BJP and whether they will embrace the Congress party as the voice of change.
