The Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday asked his party MP’s to hand over their resignation from all…
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (Photo: Facebook)
The Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday asked his party MP’s to hand over their resignation from all parliamentary committees to him.
He is expected to suggest reallocation of committees and make a fresh recommendation in this regard.
Mr Patnaik who held a meeting of the Parliamentary party here asked each of the MP’s to hand over their resignation from the committees.
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Many viewed it as an attempt to further marginalise rebel MP Baijayant Panda who has been suspended from the party. Panda is a member of the standing committee of home and member consultative committee finance.
He did not attend Saturday’s meeting since he had been suspended from the party.
If it is aimed at further marginalising Mr Panda, it is futile as removal or change of a member from any committee can be done only if the member concerned resigns.
What, if in this case, Mr Panda does not resign from the committee ?, noted a seasoned parliamentarian.
All MP’s, including Mr Panda will be communicated of the party president’s decision. At least five MPs were not present at Saturday’s meeting and they will be informed about the decision.
One has to wait and see if Panda responds and gives his resignation to the party president like all other BJD MPs.
Reliable sources said the seating arrangement of MPs was also discussed to explore whether Panda can be shifted from his present seat in the Lok Sabha
The BJD parliamentary party members were asked to rise issues like delay in constitution of the Mahanadi water tribunal, demand rise in MSP for paddy , Odisha’s objections to Polvaram project in Andhra Pradesh, neglect of railways, special assistance to KBK region etc.
The BJD will try to seek support of non-NDA parties in raising the issues, said a BJD MP.
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