On One Nation One Election, Naveen Patnaik's BJD Asks For Fine Print

The BJD is now questioning the "fine print" of the proposal of the Kovind Committee that has been adopted by the Union cabinet, and suggesting that the matter not be rushed like the farm laws.

Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal, once a supporter of 'One Nation One Election," has tweaked its stand on the issue. Though not so strident, its current concerns on the matter echoes that of the Opposition block. The party is questioning the "fine print" of the proposal of the Kovind Committee that has been adopted by the Union cabinet and suggesting that the matter not be rushed like the farm laws.

The BJD, once known for providing issue-based support to the BJP, was routed by the national party in the assembly election held earlier this year.  Shortly after that, Naveen Patnaik, who was Chief Minister of Odisha for over two decades, made it clear that the BJD now means business, saying "no more support to BJP, only opposition".

In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, BJD MP Sasmit Patra, who is also spokesman admitted a change in their stand. "The Biju Janata Dal had initially supported the idea of 'One Nation One election," he said.