Railways Minister of India, Ashwini Vaishnav, has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha for the second time with the support of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha. This move not only underscores Vaishnav's rising prominence within the political landscape but also highlights his role as a unifier, bridging the gap between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's BJD.
Vaishnav's nomination to the upper house of the parliament comes as a testament to his ability to foster cooperation and collaboration across party lines. Being linked to ‘Fevicol,' a popular adhesive known for its strong bonding properties, Vaishnav has emerged as a pivotal figure in cementing the relationship between the BJP and the BJD, two parties that have had historically different ideological orientations post Kandhmal incident in 2009.
This development comes at a pivotal juncture in Odisha's political narrative, where the intricate interplay between the BJP and the BJD often defines the state's governance dynamics. The BJD commands a substantial majority in the 147-seat Odisha Assembly, with 110 seats to its name, to win all three Rajyasabha seats going for poll. BJP has only 23 MLAs while its candidate Ashwini Vaishnav needs 38 votes to win.
Despite the BJD having the opportunity to secure the third vacant seat in the Rajya Sabha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik himself announced his support for Vaishnav as the BJP candidate's support. Naveen Patnaik's endorsement of Ashwini Vaishnav reinforces the pragmatic approach adopted by the BJD in navigating the complexities of state politics.CM Patnaik bets on a strategic alignment of interests aimed at furthering the state's developmental agenda. It will serve as a symbolic bond, cementing the relationship between the BJP-led central government and the BJD-led state administration.
Expressing his gratitude upon his nomination, Ashwini Vaishnav stated, “I am a disciplined worker of BJP. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party leadership for giving me a second chance to serve the public.” His acknowledgment underscores his commitment to serving the nation and his party's vision under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
Critics, however, have been quick to question the underlying motives behind the BJD's support for Ashwini Vaishnav. The Odisha Congress, led by Ajay Kumar, has jumped to highlight what they perceive as a symbiotic relationship between the BJD and the BJP. Kumar alleged that the BJD consistently supports the BJP, pointing to past instances of collaboration between the two parties. In contrast, BJD leader Munna Khan vehemently denied any formal alliance between the parties, reiterating the BJD's commitment to contesting elections independently.
Ram Kumar Kaushik is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience across mediums. The architect of this news website, he is also a consultant with several media groups. He was formerly the group managing editor of ITV Network (NewsX, India News and The Sunday Guardian) and its digital products.
