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Odisha: BJD to abstain from voting in Vice-Presidential election

Published By : admin | September 8, 2025 2:54 PM
Odisha: BJD to abstain from voting in Vice-Presidential election

​​​​​​​Bhubaneswar, Sept 8: Odisha's principal opposition party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday announced that it would abstain from voting in the Vice Presidential election, scheduled for September 9.

The conch party’s decision was confirmed by senior BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra.

The party, led by former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, stated that the decision was made in line with its policy of "maintaining equal distance" from both the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA bloc at the national level.

While talking to media persons, Patra said that, "The BJD has decided to abstain from tomorrow's Vice Presidential election. Our party continues to maintain an equal distance from both the NDA and INDIA alliances. We remain focused on the development and welfare of Odisha and its 4.5 crore people."

Patra added that Naveen Patnaik has decided that the party's MPs will abstain from voting after he consulted senior party leaders, members of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), and lawmakers.

Though the party has no representation in the Lok Sabha, it holds seven seats in the Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das strongly condemned the move, accusing the BJD of tacitly supporting the BJP-led NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan.

"By abstaining, the BJD is effectively supporting the BJP," he alleged.

He further stated, "This was the moment for the BJD to take a historic stand. Speculation has long suggested that the BJD and BJP are one. If that’s not true, Naveen Patnaik should have proven it now. The BJD lost ground in the 2024 elections—winning only 51 Assembly seats and none in the Lok Sabha—largely due to poor decisions. Even some in the Rajya Sabha are in favour of supporting the INDIA bloc nominee. Naveen Babu must make a wise decision to save the party. The NDA cannot pressure him, so why act under pressure?"

Notably, the Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members from both Houses of Parliament. With 293 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 129 in the Rajya Sabha, the NDA holds a clear majority, making Radhakrishnan’s victory nearly certain.

This election follows the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice President on July 21, citing health reasons.