Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Mahesh Sahoo announced that the party will not support the NDA-backed candidate in the upcoming Vice Presidential election.
The declaration marks a significant departure from BJD’s earlier stance of conditional support to the BJP-led NDA.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sahoo clarified, “We’re not going to vote for the NDA-supported candidate in the Vice President election. This is very clear. As the Presidential candidate belonged to Odisha, we extended our support. But the situation is different now.”
Sahoo emphasised that the current political climate and the absence of regional representation in the NDA’s nominee have influenced the party’s decision. He also dismissed speculation linking the move to recent controversies such as the Waqf Board issue, stating that those matters are not under discussion.
This shift comes in the wake of the BJP forming the new government in Odisha, ending the BJD’s long-standing rule. The BJP has yet to issue an official response to BJD’s announcement.
