Bhubaneswar: As the Presidential elections draw near, the Opposition Congress Monday took an aggressive posture towards the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for its stand in support of NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind terming the move as ‘self-defence’.
“The BJD has extended support to
Ram Nath Kovind on a day when the
party was staging a state-wide agitation against the ruling Bharatiya Janata
Party and Centre over issues related to special category status for Orissa and paddy MSP,” said Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Prasad Harichandan.
Terming the decision of the party to back NDA’s presidential nominee as ‘unethical’ and ‘contradictory’, Harichandan said BJD did not even wait for the announcement of UPA’s candidate.
Prasad further said the support of the ruling party came as a self-defence. The BJD has supported NDA nominee only to shield itself from CBI raids against leaders involved in Chit fund scam and other corruption cases.
He further said if BJD supports Kovind just after receiving a phone call from the Prime Minister, why cannot the Chief Minister solve issues related to Mahanadi, special status for state and loan waiver to farmers on phone.
He said the BJD support to NDA candidate is a ‘tacit understanding’ between the two parties.
Congress Chief Whip Taraparasad Bahinipati, meanwhile, traded charges against BJD and BJP over the issue.
He said there are chances of cross-voting during Presidential polls some BJD MPs and MLAs in support of UPA’s nominee Meira Kumar.
Prasad also urged all 147 MLAs of the state to elect Meira kumar.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission directive that none can issue whip for the Presidential elections has added new twist to the situation.
BJD spokesperson Prasanta Nanda, however, clarified that the party is clear on its stand and no cross-voting would take place.
Post News Network
