Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Pinaki Misra has expressed his stance against the Congresss no-confidence motion directed at the Narendra Modi government, deeming it misplaced and defying common sense, political sense, and logic.While acknowledging the heart-wrenching events in Manipur, Misra emphasised that a no-confidence motion was not necessary to address them.“The heart-rending scenes that we have seen with regard to the atrocities of women in Manipur are not new to us. This is seen everywhere in the world, where there is strife, where there is this kind of conflict, where there is sort of internecine warfare. We have seen this in sub-Saharan African nations, in Burundi, between the Hutus and the Tutsis, weve seen this in Rwanda. For instance, weve seen this in Bosnia Herzegovina, we have seen this in Serbia,” Misra said.During the debate on the motion, Misra highlighted the significance of the Womens Reservation Bill for womens empowerment and urged the Centre to pass it in the 17th Lok Sabha.“So, this [violence against women] is endemic, unfortunately to our society and polity. Therefore, I come to this one seminal issue that the way forward for womens empowerment is again what [Chief Minister] Mr Naveen Patnaik has been repeatedly requesting the Central government to bring in the Womens Reservation Bill and I think that is one area where the Central government will be seriously remiss if in the 17th Lok Sabha they dont do it because there is a full majority. In fact, there is near unanimity. That is the only issue on which the government lacks confidence,” the BJD leader said.Participating in the discussion, the BJD MP underscored the importance of constructive suggestions from every party and expressed his partys opposition to the motion. Misra noted that BJD leader and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik advocated a cooperative approach with the Centre instead of needless confrontation, given the fiscal structure and the need to prioritise the states interests.“Naveen Patnaik does not believe in needlessly picking fights with the central government,” Misra said.BJD born out of anti-Congressism, cant support no-confidence motion: MP MisraRegarding the no-confidence motion, Misra pointed out that his partys stance against the Congress stemmed from the BJDs foundation of anti-Congressism, which emerged to oppose corruption in the government, and as a result, it was not possible for the party to support any motion brought on by the Congress.He said, “We were born out of the need to oppose the corrupt government of the Congress. Therefore, it is not possible for the BJD to support any motion brought by the Congress. About why the Biju Janata Dal feel that this is a misplaced motion, totally out of place at this point in time we brought to this House, let me now come to the merits of this particular no-confidence motion that they have allegedly brought on one count alone that is to bring the prime minister to the house that seems to be the reason why this no confidence has been moved, that the Prime Minister should be brought to this House is avoiding the House and avoiding speaking on Manipur.”Misra questioned the rationale behind the no-confidence motion, particularly the focus on bringing the Prime Minister to the House to discuss Manipur. He criticised the Congress for inviting a rhetorical showdown with the Prime Minister, an adept orator, and questioned the need for such confrontations.“The Congress is very adept at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They are also adept at cutting their nose to spite their face. Every time the PM has got up to speak in this House – and everybody will agree that he is a peerless orator – he puts the Congress through a shredder. So, I do not understand why they want him to come to the House. It defies logic and common sense,” he said.#WATCH | BJD MP Pinaki Misra says, …I have always believed that the Congress party is adept at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They are also very adept at cutting their nose to spite their face. They know that every time the PM has got up to speak on the Floor of… https://t.co/TIwLpsQyhu pic.twitter.com/PIr7X3a1Yz— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2023“The people of the country will decide what they think of the PM not speaking on Manipur. You dont bring a no-confidence motion for it. You dont disrupt the House needlessly. The ruling party is happiest as Bills can be passed in the din and the minister does not have to reply.”He suggested that Congress should avoid needless disruptions in the House, emphasising that the ruling party might find it advantageous to pass bills amidst such disruptions. Misra also discussed the Manipur issue, mentioning an all-party meeting called by Union Home Minister Amit Shah that provided detailed insights into the matter. He explained that the Centre had missed an opportunity by not involving the Supreme Court in the decision-making process regarding Manipurs legacy issues and ST status.“An exceptionally detailed account of what had happened in Manipur was given. There are legacy issues there. This has boiled over many times in the past. The Manipur High Court passed the most ill-advised order on giving ST status to a particular community,” Misra concluded.
