On Monday, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) walked out of the Rajya Sabha protesting against statements by an Odisha leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on former Odisha Chief Minister, party founder Biju patnaik.
At the start of the session, BJD MP Sasmit Patra was vehemently protesting the words of Dubey and referred to them as being disparaging, false and concocted. He condemned the action of the ruling party as the comments were simply shameful according to him and the BJD would leave the House in protest.
The controversy increased when Patra stepped down on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, a day before, headed by Dubey. His resignation was regarded as a protest against what BJD termed as ill-mannerisms towards one of the most respectable leaders in Odisha.
The BJD has supported the central government on major issues of legislation even though they are not a formal member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Nonetheless, this accident seems to have worsened the relations between the two parties.
In response to the accusations, Dubey refused to comment on the derogatory remarks made on Biju Patnaik. According to him, Patnaik was a respected freedom fighter, and that the BJP had never looked down on him. Dubey further clarified that, his recent remarks were in a wider criticism of the Nehru-Gandhi family and not aimed at Patnaik. He also asserted that he was ready to explain his words in case they brought some misconception.