New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today announced that it will abstain from voting in the Vice Presidential election scheduled for tomorrow.
Addressing the media here, BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra said the decision was taken after BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held detailed discussions with senior leaders, Political Affairs Committee and Members of Parliament.
Reiterating its stance of maintaining equal distance from NDA and the INDIA bloc, Sasmit Patra said, "The BJD has decided to abstain from the Vice Presidential elections tomorrow. The BJD remains equidistant from both NDA and INDIA Alliances. We are focussed on the development and welfare of Odisha and 4.5 crore people of Odisha"....