September 22nd 2024.
In Bhubaneswar, the recent statement made by Biju Janata Dal MP Debashish Samantray regarding a possible alliance with the Congress has caused quite a stir. The opposition party, BJD, clarified that this was Samantray's personal opinion, while the Congress outright rejected the idea. The ruling party, BJP, dismissed the BJD's hopes as mere daydreaming.
The controversy began when a video of Samantray speaking about the potential alliance between BJD and Congress went viral. However, Samantray was quick to clarify that this was his own view and did not reflect the official stance of his party. It is worth noting that the BJP, after 24 years of BJD's rule, formed the government in Odisha in June.
BJD's vice-president, Debi Prasad Mishra, maintained that the party respects the people's mandate and acknowledges their desire for BJD to play a role as the opposition. Mishra further emphasized that Samantray's statement was his own and did not represent the party's stand. The controversial remark was made by Samantray during a party meeting in Kujang, Jagatsinghpur district, a couple of days ago.
In the video, Samantray can be heard discussing the pending cases against seven BJP MLAs in the Orissa High Court. He expressed his hope that these MLAs would lose their cases, leading to by-elections. He also mentioned that he had suggested to BJD president Naveen Patnaik that the party should be prepared for these by-elections and, if necessary, join hands with the Congress to form a new government in the state.
However, the BJP, which currently holds 78 out of 147 seats in the Odisha Assembly, does not seem to be threatened by BJD's hopes. The Congress, on the other hand, with only 14 seats, has no intention of forming an alliance with BJD. Senior Congress leader Mohammed Moquim stated that BJD has a history of changing sides, as seen in their support for BJP in passing several bills in Parliament. He firmly stated that there is no question of Congress joining hands with BJD.
In response to Samantray's statement, Odisha BJP vice-president Golak Mohapatra confidently stated that the BJD is merely daydreaming. After being in power for 24 years, the ruling party is struggling to come to terms with their loss and is grasping at straws. This statement clearly reflects the BJP's belief that they are firmly in control of the state and have no reason to worry about BJD's attempts to regain power.
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