BJD remains undecided over its position regarding efforts to remove Jagdeep Dhankhar

Opposition seeks removal of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, BJD undecided on stance amid potential defections to BJP.

While the Opposition parties on Tuesday (December 10, 2024), submitted a notice seeking the removal of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar for allegedly presiding over the Upper House in a partisan manner, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) remained noncommittal about its stand on the matter.

When asked about BJD’s position on motion against Mr. Dhankhar, former Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik said, “we are examining it. We will take whatever steps are necessary.” The BJD has currently seven members in Rajya Sabha.

Mr. Patnaik’s statement surprised political analysts, who had anticipated the regional party would adopt a tougher stance against the Bharatiya Janata Party following its defeat to the saffron party in the previous general and Assembly elections.

After the BJP assumed power in June this year, two Rajya Sabha members, Mamata Mohanta and Sujeet Kumar, who were originally elected on the BJD tickets, resigned and joined the BJP. While Ms. Mohanta has already been re-elected on a BJP ticket, Mr. Kumar has filed his nomination as a BJP candidate for the ongoing Rajya Sabha elections. Speculation is growing about the potential defection of more BJD Rajya Sabha members to the BJP.

Although the BJD served as the principal Opposition to the BJP in Odisha, it supported the saffron party on several contentious Bills in both Houses of the Parliament since 2014. In this election, the BJD failed to secure a single seat in the Lok Sabha, though it maintains a strong presence in the Rajya Sabha. Incidentally, the BJD had supported Mr. Dhankhar’s candidature during his election as Vice-President to Upper House.