Naveen asks BJD MPs to play role of Opposition in House

“We had a detailed discussion on different issues. The MPs are told to raise issues to benefit the state and its people,” Patnaik told reporters after meeting the party MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The ruling BJD has 28 MPs — 20 in Lok Sabha and 8 in Rajya Sabha.

Patnaik, who is also president of the regional outfit (BJD), chaired the party MPs’ meeting on March 5 and called upon for intensifying fight against the Centre. Patnaik has alleged that the Centre ignored Odisha’s interest both in the 14th Finance Commission recommendations and in the 2015-16 General Budget.

“Is it not a discrimination on political line?” Patnaik had asked while criticising the Centre for denying special assistance for Odisha even as it announced package for Bihar and West Bengal in the Budget.

To a question, Patnaik said there is no difference in BJD’s Parliamentary party on opposition to the Centre. “There is no such difference in BJD Parliamentary Party,” he said.

BJD Parliamentary Party leader in Lok Sabha Bhartuhari Mahtab said: “We will play the role of constructive opposition in Parliament. There should be no doubt over the BJD’s role as we are sitting in opposition bench.”