BJD to oppose Land Bill, raise Posco, Vyapam scam in parliament

BHUBANESWAR: Asking party MPs to oppose the controversial Land Acquisition Bill and demand action in Vyapam scandal, BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today stressed on steps to prevent opposition Congress from deriving political mileage out of any issue.

Patnaik gave this instruction while presiding over a meeting of the BJD's Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members. The regional outfit, which claimed to be maintaining equi-distance from both BJP and Congress, has 20 members in the Lok Sabha and 7 in Rajya Sabha.

The meeting was held to chalk out BJD's strategy ahead of Parliament's monsoon session beginning on July 21.

The meeting resolved that BJD would continue to oppose Land Acquisition Bill till the Centre accepts its amendment proposal.

"We have demanded inclusion of a clause in the Bill to make the land losers stakeholders if their properties are used for economic activities or commercial projects," said Bhartuhari Mahatab, leader of BJD in the Lok Sabha.

On other issues, Mahatab said, "As the Centre has not extended required support for implementation of the Posco project in Odisha, we will raise the issue and demand clarification from the central government."

Mahatab said the state had already said that the understanding with Posco needed to be treated as an international commitment.

On Vyapam scandal, Mahatab said the party has already made its stand clear on the matter. "The BJD demands resignation of Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan if the allegation against him is correct," he said.

Asked about BJD's strategy in Parliament, Mahtab said, "We have been asked to be be careful while raising certain issues because opposition Congress may attempt to take mileage from them. We will not join the chorus of Congress."