Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has said that it was committed to protecting the “interest” of Odisha in the upcoming delimitation exercise and was not concerned about allegations of getting closer to anti-BJP platforms.
The remark was made by BJD’s eight-time MLA RP Swain while responding to an allegation from the ruling BJP.
The Odisha BJP has accused the BJD of tilting towards the Congress-led INDIA bloc.
The BJD has consistently claimed that it maintains equidistance from both the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA bloc, although its position shifted after the 2024 elections.
“It is not a question of equidistance. We have to safeguard the interest of Odisha first in the delimitation exercise,” Swain said.
The issue arose a day after a two-member DMK delegation, comprising former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran and Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T R B Rajaa, met BJD president Naveen Patnaik at his residence to discuss the issue.
“There is a fear that Odisha is likely to be affected in the upcoming delimitation process. The DMK delegation requested Patnaik to participate in the discussion on delimitation in Chennai on March 22. Patnaik has given consent to participate in the discussion, which is in the interest of the people,” senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra said.
Mishra added, “The invitation given by Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin has been accepted by Patnaik. They have also urged the BJD leader to be part of a joint action committee on delimitation.”
Asked whether Patnaik would personally participate in the meeting in Chennai, BJD spokesperson Lelin Mohanty said, “The BJD president will take this decision.”
