Odisha Politics / BJD Changes Stand on Odisha Bandh Within 30 Minutes; Pramila Mallik Says 'We Won't Support It'
·56 mins ago·3 min read
Key Points
Senior BJD leader Pramila Mallik first indicated the party would support the October 8 Odisha bandh, then clarified around 30 minutes later that it would not.
Bhubaneswar, Oct 7: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) changed its stance on the proposed Odisha bandh within around half an hour on Wednesday, with senior party leader and Chief Whip Pramila Mallik first indicating that the party would support tomorrow's shutdown and later clarifying that it would not.
Mallik's first statement came while she was leaving Naveen Niwas, where she indicated that the BJD would support the bandh. She also said at the time that the party was part of the INDIA bloc.
However, around half an hour later, speaking at her official residence, Mallik denied that the BJD was part of any alliance and said the party would not support Thursday's Odisha bandh.
It can be mentioned here that the Congress had called for a statewide bandh tomorrow, October 8, raising a series of demands including resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, withdrawal of the MMDR Bill, and the resignation of the state School and Mass Education Minister over alleged errors in textbooks.
Mallik's first statement came while she was leaving Naveen Niwas, where she indicated that the BJD would support the bandh. She also said at the time that the party was part of the INDIA bloc.
However, around half an hour later, speaking at her official residence, Mallik denied that the BJD was part of any alliance and said the party would not support Thursday's Odisha bandh.
It can be mentioned here that the Congress had called for a statewide bandh tomorrow, October 8, raising a series of demands including resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, withdrawal of the MMDR Bill, and the resignation of the state School and Mass Education Minister over alleged errors in textbooks.
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‘We Will Not Support Odisha Bandh’
Clarifying the party's position, Mallik said the BJD would maintain its policy of maintaining equal distance from political alliances.
“We will fight alone. We are not with any alliance. We will not support any alliance. We will maintain equal distance,” she said.
She also made it clear that the BJD would not support the Odisha bandh.
“We will not support the Odisha bandh tomorrow,” Mallik said
Mallik said the BJD had supported the issues concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, but maintained that this did not mean the party had joined the INDIA bloc.
“On the issue of SIR and Gyanesh Kumar, we have extended our support. But the BJD is not with any alliance,” she said.
Clarifying the party's position, Mallik said the BJD would maintain its policy of maintaining equal distance from political alliances.
“We will fight alone. We are not with any alliance. We will not support any alliance. We will maintain equal distance,” she said.
She also made it clear that the BJD would not support the Odisha bandh.
“We will not support the Odisha bandh tomorrow,” Mallik said
Mallik said the BJD had supported the issues concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, but maintained that this did not mean the party had joined the INDIA bloc.
“On the issue of SIR and Gyanesh Kumar, we have extended our support. But the BJD is not with any alliance,” she said.
She said BJD president Naveen Patnaik had earlier called for action against Gyanesh Kumar over the Election Commission's handling of the issue.
Also Read: Campus Polls Could Turn Into A Test Of Political Strength In Odisha
“Since a protest march was being held, our Rajya Sabha MPs participated. We will fight on various issues for the interests of the state,” Mallik said.
‘We Will Fight Alone’
Reiterating the party's position, Mallik said the BJD would continue to raise issues concerning Odisha independently.
“We are not with any alliance and we will not support any alliance. We will maintain equal distance,” she said.
The two statements came within around half an hour of each other, first while Mallik was leaving Naveen Niwas and later at her official residence, marking a clear change in the BJD's stated position on the proposed bandh.
Also Read: Campus Polls Could Turn Into A Test Of Political Strength In Odisha
“Since a protest march was being held, our Rajya Sabha MPs participated. We will fight on various issues for the interests of the state,” Mallik said.
‘We Will Fight Alone’
Reiterating the party's position, Mallik said the BJD would continue to raise issues concerning Odisha independently.
“We are not with any alliance and we will not support any alliance. We will maintain equal distance,” she said.
The two statements came within around half an hour of each other, first while Mallik was leaving Naveen Niwas and later at her official residence, marking a clear change in the BJD's stated position on the proposed bandh.
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