BJD, Opposition to lock horns on coal allocation scam

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Opposition led by Congress are poised for a standoff in the monsoon session of the state assembly beginning on Tuesday as the treasury and opposition benches gear up to malign each other in the coal block allocation issue that has already triggered pandemonium in the Parliament.

While the Congress would attempt to slam the BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his alleged doublespeak on the issue, the ruling party would spare no effort to counter the belligerent Opposition by highlighting the CAG’s (Comptroller & Auditor General) stricture on Centre on the coal scandal.

“Issues are abundant but period is limited for us. The chief minister has already been exposed on the coal block allocation issue by recommending coal blocks in favour of companies,” said senior Congress leader and Opposition chief whip Prasad Harichandan.

Unfazed by the Opposition’s strategies, the ruling BJD sounded confident to take them head on over any issue. “In this session of 10 days, we will push forward appropriate bills for the development of the state. We will also take up issues where the Central government has neglected Odisha's concerns,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The BJD plans to turn the heat on the Opposition on a wide array of issues like Polavaram project, gross neglect of Railways towards Odisha, steep rise in fertilizer prices, general price hike of essential commodities and most importantly- CAG’s strictures to the Centre on different issues including the recent Coalgate scandal.

“We are ready to debate any issue with the Opposition on the floor of the house,” said panchayati raj minister Kalpataru Das.

Meanwhile, the BJP, which has six members in the assembly, received a jolt on the eve of the monsoon session following resignation of its legislature party leader K V Singhdeo from the post, smacking of internal bickering within the party.

“I have resigned as I do not enjoy the confidence of the state party unit president. I will extend my cooperation to any of my colleague, who is installed as the new BJP legislative party leader,” Singhdeo said.

BJP state unit president Jual Oram confirmed Singhdeo’s resignation, adding a decision will be taken by the party Central leadership. The meeting of BJP legislature party was also postponed with two party leaders- Jaynarayan Mishra and Korendra Majhi holed up at Singhdeo’s residence instead of making it to the crucial party meet.