"We are neutral on this": BJD's Sasmit Patra on no-confidence motion against RS Chairman
Dec 10, 2024
New Delhi [India], December 10 : Biju Janata Dal leader Sasmit Patra has said that his party is not part of move to submit a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhnakhar and the party is neutral on the issue.
He said that no-confidence motion has been submitted by INDIA bloc parties and BJD is not a part of the grouping.
"It is an INDIA Alliance-backed resolution. BJD is not part of the INDIA Alliance. Therefore we are completely neutral on this issue. It is the issue that we are not connected with... The question of talking about it or becoming a party to it does not arise," Patra said.
The Opposition INDIA bloc on Tuesday submitted a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to the Secretary General of the Upper House.
Patra expressed concern over frequent disruptions in Parliament and said smaller parties do not get opportunity to raise their issues.
"It is unfortunate that this kind of a logjam is happening in the Parliament... Smaller regional parties come with special mention, zero hours supplementary for questions and debates. But when the voices of states are not echoed in the Council of States the entire day gets washed away. Thousands of people want to see that their issues and concerns are raised. It's high time that a rule should come that adjournment should not become a part of the parliamentary process," Patra said.
"We are into the third week and all three weeks have seen adjournments and ruckus. A logjam breaking has to be done by both the larger parties, the Congress and the BJP. The voices of states like Odisha need to be heard," he added.
The winter session of Parliament has seen frequent disruptions over opposition's demands for discussion on Adani issue, Manipur situation and Sambhal violence and the treasury benches levelling allegations against Congress of becoming "tool" in hands of those who do not want India's economic progress. The Congress has rejected the allegations.
The winter session of Parliament commenced on November 25 and will continue till December 20.
