BJD MPs to Abstain from Vice-Presidential Election Vote

Quick Summary:

• Biju Janata Dal (BJD),led by Naveen Patnaik,has announced its decision to abstain from participating in the Vice-Presidential elections scheduled for September 9,2025.
• The decision aligns with the party’s policy of maintaining “equal distance” from both the BJP-led NDA and Congress-led INDIA bloc at the national level.
• The proclamation was made after consultations with senior party leaders, members of its Political Affairs Committee (PAC), and lawmakers.
• BJD MP Sasmit Patra stated that the party’s focus remains on Odisha’s development and its population of 4.5 crore people.
• Reactions to this decision:

– BJP leaders welcomed it, claiming it indirectly supports their vice-Presidential candidate.
– Congress criticized it as tacit support for the NDA and an possibility missed to oppose BJP.

• Similar abstention occurred in 2012 when BJD MPs refrained from voting in Vice-Presidential elections.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The BJD’s decision to abstain underscores a consistent strategy of neutrality at the national level while prioritizing regional governance over partisan alignment. This approach arguably positions them as distinct in India’s polarized political landscape but may lead to perceptions of indirect endorsement where votes favor one side through absence rather than action-a concern voiced by Congress leaders regarding potential benefits to NDA candidates.

For Odisha’s politics, however, this stance strengthens Naveen Patnaik’s image as a leader focused on state-centric policies, appealing directly to constituents. While neutrality avoids immediate front-line controversies or alienation from major blocs like INDIA or NDA, such decisions might carry implications for future alliances amidst evolving national dynamics post-elections.

Read more at The Hindu