Odisha’s BJD opts out of Vice Presidential polls

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced its MPs will abstain from voting in the Vice Presidential elections, citing its policy of maintaining equal distance from both the NDA and the INDIA bloc. Naveen Patnaik made the decision after consultations

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s principal opposition party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), on Monday announced that its MPs will abstain from voting in the Vice Presidential elections. The party, headed by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, said it decided as part of its policy of “maintaining an equal distance” from both the BJP-led NDA and Congress-led INDIA bloc at the national level.

“BJD president Naveen Patnaik has decided that the party’s MPs will abstain from voting in the Vice Presidential elections. He decided after consulting senior party leaders, members of the political affairs committee (PAC), and lawmakers,” BJD MP Sasmit Patra told reporters.

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Patra said that the BJD maintains an equal distance from both the NDA and the INDIA bloc. “Our entire focus is on the development of the State and its 4.5 crore people,” Patra said. The Vice Presidential polls will be held on Tuesday.