BJD seeks Gamang’s resignation over LS voting

BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 19: Chairman of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)'s political affairs committee Bijay Mahapatra on Sunday warned that Chief Mi...

BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 19: Chairman of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)’s political affairs committee Bijay Mahapatra on Sunday warned that Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang would not be allowed to function if he did not resign.

Criticising Gamang’s decision to vote in the motion of confidence in the Lok Sabha, Mahapatra told a news conference here that the BJD will soon launch a state-wide agitation to force Gamang to resign. Announcing that Gamang would be opposed wherever he toured the State, Mahapatra said the BJD is committed to restoring the prestige and dignity of Orissa.

Describing the fall of the A B Vajpayee Government as “unfortunate”, the BJD leader alleged that the whole thing was a pre-planned conspiracy by the Congress and “some other forces”. Gamang’s role in the entire exercise was a national shame, he added.

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Mahapatra alleged that Gamang betrayed the trust reposed in him by the people of the State by voting in the Lok Sabha in an unethical manner. It would have been wise on Gamang’s part toleave the House after the ruling of the Lok Sabha speaker, Mahapatra said.

The BJD leader maintained that since Gamang willingly participated in voting and is still not a member of the Orissa Assembly, he should not continue as chief minister for a minute longer. The debate in the Lok Sabha on the issue was humiliating and has damaged the prestige and dignity of the State, he said.

Mahapatra alleged that the functioning of the State machinery has come to a standstill since Gamang took over as the chief minister two months ago. Except for transfers and postings, the State Government has done nothing during the last two months, he added.

“Using the office of chief minister, the State flight and funds for voting in Parliament amounts to betrayal of the trust of the people for the gain of Congress”, Mahapatra alleged.

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Replying to questions, Mahapatra ruled out any split in the BJD. The BJD remained united during the trust vote and will remain so, he said, adding on the other hand, the CongressGovernment of the State would break.

The RJD’s key face and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav, party supremo Lalu Yadav’s son, will again contest from his stronghold Raghopur.

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The RJD, lead player of the Mahagathbandhan, released its full list of 143 candidates for the November Bihar Assembly elections. Its key face Tejashwi Yadav will contest from Raghopur, and 41 sitting MLAs have been renominated. The party has dropped 36 sitting MLAs and fielded young leaders, signaling a bid to consolidate its core Muslim-Yadav vote base. The Congress has fielded 60 candidates.

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