BJD respects SAD decision to walk out of NDA
BHUBANESWAR: Pinaki Mishra, the BJD parliamentary party leader in Lok Sabha, on Sunday appreciated the decision of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), one of the oldest allies of the BJP, to walk out of the NDA over the contentious farm bills.
“The act of the Akali Dal to sacrifice its old ties with the BJP and the NDA is an appreciable gesture of solidarity with the plight of the farmers. The principled stand in support of the farmers, as in the case of BJD, is greatly appreciated,” tweeted Mishra.
The BJD had taken a surprising move recently when the party opposed the farm bills in Rajya Sabha citing that they have inadequate protection for small and marginal farmers and share-croppers, even as the party supported it in Lok Sabha with certain riders.
During discussion on the bills in Rajya Sabha, the BJD had demanded that they be sent to the select committee. The three farm bills received nod from President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday.
Having supported the NDA government on a number of issues including passage of bills like GST, Citizenship Amendment Act, triple talaq, RTI amendment and Article 370, this was the first time when the BJD had opposed the Centre in the Upper House.