VP polls: BJD MPs to abstain from voting

Odisha’s principal Opposition party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Monday announced that its MPs will abstain from voting in the September 9 vice presidential polls.

- PNN & AGENCIES

The party, headed by former CM Naveen Patnaik, said it took the decision 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 took the decision after consulting senior party leaders, members of the political affairs committee (PAC) and lawmakers,” BJD MP Sasmit Patra told PTI over the phone. Patra said that 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 poll will be held Tuesday. Reacting to the development, both Congress and BJP said BJD’s decision will indirectly help the NDA candidate for the vice president's post. Welcoming BJD’s decision, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Jual Oram said, “By deciding that BJD MPs will abstain from voting, Naveen Babu has indirectly supported the NDA candidate.”