Bhubaneswar, June : The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is gearing up to play a robust role as the opposition in Parliament, representing the interests of Odisha.
During a meeting with the party’s nine Rajya Sabha MPs, BJD President Naveen Patnaik emphasized their responsibility to be a strong voice for the state.
The BJD will continue to advocate for Odisha to be granted Special Category State status. This designation is crucial for addressing the state’s unique challenges, including natural disasters, said the party statement.
Interestingly, the BJP had promised this status in its 2014 election manifesto but did not fulfill it during its tenure.
Odisha faces significant delays in National Highway (NH) projects, affecting transportation and economic development.
Specific projects like the Cuttack-Sambalpur National Highway and the Coastal Highway have been pending for years.
The completion of the Odisha Capital Region Ring Road near Bhubaneswar is another priority.
BJD MPs will raise these issues in Parliament to ensure progress, it said.
Odisha’s demand for a revision of coal royalty has been ignored by the Centre for the past decade.
The BJD aims to hold the government accountable for addressing these genuine demands.
The party’s MPs will not limit themselves to speeches; they are prepared to agitate if necessary.
The BJD, which had supported the BJP in Parliament previously, now declares itself as an opposition party.
With the BJP securing a majority in the Odisha assembly, the BJD’s role as a strong opposition becomes crucial.
