The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has urged reconsideration of the recent decision to raise the salaries of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Acting on the directive of party president Naveen Patnaik, senior leaders announced the move during a press meet.
The party had initially supported the bill when it passed in the Assembly. However, rising public dissatisfaction has now compelled BJD leaders to shift their stance. During the press meet, Chief Whip Pramila Mallik and Deputy Chief Whip Pratap Keshari Deb called on Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to review the decision in light of public sentiment.
ଜନମତକୁ ସମ୍ମାନ ଜଣାଇ ବିଧାୟକଙ୍କ ବର୍ଦ୍ଧିତ ଦରମାର ପୁନଃବିଚାର କରାଯାଉ।
ସଭାପତି ଶ୍ରୀ ନବୀନ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ (@Naveen_Odisha) ଙ୍କ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦେଶକ୍ରମେ ବିଜୁ ଜନତା ଦଳର ବିଧାୟକମାନେ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ନିଜ ଦାବି ଉପସ୍ଥାପନ କରିଛନ୍ତି।#BJD4Odisha#BJDWithOdisha pic.twitter.com/SUK7NMgDyP
— Biju Janata Dal (@bjd_odisha) December 19, 2025
The leaders admitted that circumstances have changed since the bill’s passage. “We had supported the bill then, but now people’s discontent must be respected,” they said. Their remarks highlighted the need to align political decisions with the expectations of citizens.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik reinforced this appeal by writing to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. In his letter, he declined to accept the increased salary, setting an example of restraint. BJD leaders pointed to his stand as a precedent for reconsideration.
ALSO READ: Mumbai to Varanasi Air India Flight Diverts to Bhubaneswar Amid Dense Fog
