Bhubaneswar, July 23: In a significant political development ahead of the monsoon session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has announced its willingness to support the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) if the main opposition BJD chooses to move a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led state government.
The Congress party has attributed its decision to the alarming rise in incidents of rape and other crimes against women in the state, which it claims reflect serious governance failures.
Speaking at a press conference in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das issued a strong statement urging the BJD, as the principal opposition party in the Assembly, to step forward and take decisive action against the Mohan Charan Majhi-led government.
“The main opposition must lead such a crucial initiative. If the BJD brings a no-confidence motion against the state government, the Congress will extend its full support. The current law and order situation, especially concerning women’s safety, demands urgent and united political intervention,” Das said.
He further criticized the BJP government for its "apathy and inaction" in addressing the deteriorating safety of women and children in Odisha, calling it a betrayal of public trust.
The BJD, which lost power in the 2024 elections after a two-decade rule, has yet to announce its official stance on the proposal. However, a senior party spokesperson responded to the Congress’s offer by stating that the BJD legislature party would deliberate on the matter before the upcoming session of the Assembly.
“We have taken note of the Congress party’s position. The BJD legislative party will meet shortly and take a collective decision based on the current political scenario and public sentiment,” the spokesperson said.
The monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly is expected to witness heated debates, particularly on issues related to women’s safety, rising crime rates, and the performance of the newly formed BJP government.
